Floral Dress, Nude Oxfords: Forever21.
Taupe Purse, Straw Fedora: Thrifted.
Innocence. I think innocence is something that today's society lacks. Perhaps some would say this is too heavy of a subject for a 'fashion blog,' but it's always been something I've found extremely important. To keep my innocence.
When I first learned about sex in the seventh grade, our health teacher passed out little cards that looked like credit cards to the whole class. He told us they were abstinence cards. He had us sign them, and by signing the cards we were pledging that we would save ourselves until marriage, then that night we could 'cash in' our 'credit card.' Everyone in the class signed the cards. Some begrudgingly, others making fun of it, and then a few of us actually took it seriously. I was one of those few.
A typical day at my school goes something like this. It's Monday morning. I sit in my classroom waiting for the bell to ring to start class. I take out my pencils and usually take out my homework to have it ready. My classmates usually gather around one of the more popular kid's desks and have a little... you could say chat about their weekend adventures. How drunk they were that they woke up and didn't know where they were. How someone threw up all over the bathroom. Jane hooked up with Jack, who hooked up with Suzie and Billy...at the same time. The cops busted the party. How they lost their virginity to someone I can't remember: and that's something be be proud of. All of this makes my stomach turn with disgust at my classmates.
When did virginity become such an awful word? When did it gain a negative connotation to thatmakes teenagers avoid it like the plague? Every year kids younger and younger lose their virginity. In my school district as young as the sixth grade. These kids lose it to unimportant people who use them, abuse them, and take advantage of them. The moment isn't special and magical like it should be. The moment isn't with their husband or wife. It's with some joe smoe, and the next joe smoe is just the next one waiting in line.
I will up front tell anyone who asks that I am a virgin. And a proud one at that. I've dated my boyfriend for four years and we haven't had sex. And yet, they are cases where teenagers have sex without even dating the person. Sometimes without even knowing their name. I want the night I give myself away to be special. To be a beautiful gift to my husband as it should be.
It shouldn't be about lust. It shouldn't be about temptation. It shouldn't be about hiding the moment in case someone finds out. It should be giving your whole self to that other person in front of God.
My innocence is one of the most precious things to me. I've watched so many of my friends, classmates, and people I know give that precious gift away. Some without even any regret at all. I wish other people my age could see how special it is. That it's not just something to throw away. Because once you give yourself away, you can never get it back.
With much love, Lauren.
