We live in a time and world where sexual content is everywhere we turn. It is all over the media, and it can make people who are not sexually active feel bad or make them feel like they are missing something. People who are waiting for that right moment are constantly having to explain to their friends the reason for their decision to withhold. I know how that can feel and the reaction that those people get because it happens to me all the time. They either think that I am super religious or just uptight. I feel that it is my decision and not society's to know when is the right moment.

My reason for saving myself is because I have seen from friends what it is like to give yourself away too soon. I am not saving myself for marriage, but I don't feel just having sex is the right thing for me. My main focus is not about trying to get some monkey off my back or seeing how many guys I can have sex with. I am focused on me and I do not feel bad about my decision. I want to wait for the man that I am in love with and I know loves me for who I am (which can be a bit much at times). I want that moment to be special and with someone that I love. Just a random guy that I casually know is not the guy to give my virginity to. The guy has to be special and we have to love each other.

I remember when I was younger telling friends that I am going to wait until I'm in love and mature to have sex for the first time. I also remember those same friends laughing at me. I remember them making me feel ashamed because I felt that I was not mature enough (or in love) at 15 to just give my virginity away. That never swayed me or deterred me because my mom and dad raised a strong-willed woman. For me, it is worth the wait.

It is a moment that you never get back. It is a moment that only happens once and it should be a moment you won't regret. A moment that I am glad to have follow me for the rest of my life. Not something that I will wake up and regret after it happens. I should not feel shame because I have decided that my happiness and willing to wait for the right guy. I have had friends who have had sex just to get it over and they have regretted because it didn't have any meaning. I want my first time to have meaning for me. I have to live in this body for the rest of my life. And real men will wait for you. They won't run away because you tell them that you are not going to have sex with them.