I can remember being a little girl and watching Cinderella at her royal wedding. I remember thinking how much I wanted to one day wear that white gown, innocently not knowing what the color white represented. All I knew was that I wanted that white gown, the dreamy guy and a happily ever after.

Then I grew up.

I learned that many girls often settle for cream, beige, or even an off-colored white gown because they know they shouldn't wear white on their wedding day. Not every girl abides by this rule, and that is perfectly okay. But to me, it isn't some silly little fashion rule or even some religious rule. I view it as an honor. It should be an honor to be able to walk down the aisle, proudly, in a white gown.

I didn't grasp at seven years old that white meant purity. I didn't understand just how much that simple color would one day mean to me.

Now, as a sophomore in college, I fully understand what that color means to me.

I understand that it means more to me than just a summer fling.

I understand that it means more to me than the opinions and comments of others.

I understand that it means more to me than a one-night stand.

I understand that it means more to me than what society says about me.

I understand that it means I am probably not going to be the coolest girl, and that is perfectly okay with me.

I understand that it means it is worth the wait.

That white dress is not just a white dress; it's a part of me. It's the most important thing to me. It's everything I stand for, believe in and pray about. I pray that I'll be able to walk down the aisle in the white gown and know in my heart that I pleased my Heavenly Father.

I know there are people who probably think that I think I'm better than them simply because at this point in my life I can wear that white gown. If you're able to wear the white gown too, you can probably testify to that. But that's not the truth at all.

I fail, I fall short, I disappoint God on a daily basis. I mess up, I say things I shouldn't, I judge people sometimes, I am not perfect simply because I will wear white.

I know that I mess up, and I will be the first to admit that. But this, this is a promise I made to myself at an early age. If I can break every other promise I made to myself except this one, then I will be quite alright.

In a world filled with meaningless hookups and one-night stands, I wonder why we lost such a respect for ourselves and our future spouses. Why has it become a game to people to see how many people they can sleep with? When did it turn into just something to make you feel less lonely? How did it become the joke of the locker room, the center of bragging or the measurement of coolness? When did we stop caring?

I can only pray that I'll get to stand behind the doors of a church with a Godly man at the altar while I'm waiting in white.