Growing up in a very religious based household was always something I was so used to. Sunday morning church, Wednesday night Bible studies, Thursday night worship and Friday night Bible study. Yes, my week, rather my life, revolved around church literally all the time.

I was never allowed to celebrate Halloween because my family saw it as a disrespectful holiday that shouldn't be encouraged by anyone. What we usually did was go to a hotel for the night, swim in the pool, play in the game room and order a pizza. It was our own little family tradition that I was always excited about. The only negative part was going to school the next day and hearing about how everyone went trick-or-treating and got dressed up in their costumes and got all this candy, and I could never relate. Living this way, I could never relate to anyone.

I always felt like I couldn't do the same things as other kids could. I couldn't have sleepovers on Saturday nights because I had to go to church the next morning. The only way I could have a sleepover is if I brought my friend to church with me, or I left super early in the morning to go. I never really did that though, because none of my friends wanted to go to church with me.

"I don't go to church." "I don't believe in all of this stuff." "Why do you have to go?"

Sorry guys, I don't have the laid back lifestyle like you all do. I understand my lifestyle is seen as "abnormal" to all of you, but it's the way I am. If I say the word "crap" I get reprimanded. If I express not wanting to partake in church events, it's seen as the end of the world.

My house is decked out in scriptures and religious sayings and whenever people enter my house it's always the same reaction, "Wow, do I have to be careful with what I say around your parents?"

Yes. Yes, you do. If I have friends that act inappropriate or swear in my house, my parent's would think that they're not good friends for me and convince me to go hang out with more church kids.

And don't get me started on dating. Having a relationship in my household was the most complex thing. I'm the only child, so my parents, especially my dad, were very protective of me. I used to hide my relationships because I didn't want them knowing I was dating someone. If I didn't date other Christian boys, they would think I would go off and do bad things. When I got in my first serious relationship, my dad hated it. This boy grew up in a church household just like I did, he lived life the same way I was brought up. The only difference we had was that he turned towards the world and away from God before I did. Every relationship I was in, I had to explain how church had to be a priority for me and it always seemed to be a problem. I just wanted a normal life, all I wanted to do was go out with my friends or boyfriend at the time, and do what everyone else did.

I don't really blame my parents for raising me this way, I feel as if it taught me some life lessons and helped me as a person. Sometimes I just wish I had the chance to choose what I wanted, not be forced. I'm thankful for the community around me that helped shaped me into the person today, I don't regret meeting any of the people I did during my lifetime. Every situation and problem I came across, I always had someone to help me and guide me and I am fortunate enough to be able to say that. It would have been nice if some of the guidance wasn't always the same things, such as "pray about it" or "ask God". I understand that people centered around religion think that's the answer for everything, but sometimes I just needed some outside world advice.

Coming from the girl who grew up like this: please don’t force religion upon your kids one day. Let them have their chance to express what they want and what they choose to believe. If you feel it’s something meant to be for them to believe it, then it’ll happen.