Our generation is accepting of being different. In fact, we live in a society where sex sells and anything goes- being different ironically makes you fit in.

However, society tells us what differences are ‘acceptable.’ I use to get made fun for my lanky legs and pale skin. Now that I’m an adult I get self-conscious of something slightly different- being a virgin.

We live in a society where movies are being made soley about people on a mission to lose their virginity. Check out “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” or “American Pie” if you don’t know what I mean.

Now I’ve never been humiliated or taunted mercilessly for being one, but sometimes being just a little teased over time can take a toll on your self-esteem.

I really don’t take offense, but I wonder what the big deal is sometimes. I just don’t understand why me never having done a particular physical act, supposedly says something about my personality- like it is a character flaw.

I know that at this age, most people have had sex before, but I also know that there are more virgins out there than you would probably think. They just don’t talk about it, (probably because they don’t want to be judged).

My virginity doesn’t have anything to do with having a huge moral compass. I just haven’t met the right person. I’m not a prude either, I couldn’t care less if you had sex ten times a day-I’m not going to think badly of you- because that’s a personal choice. I’ve been told that sex isn’t a big deal, that guys don’t want to date virgins and that I’m naive.

I honestly believe that if a guy loved me, he would not make me have sex until I was ready- even if that was my wedding night.

I know this is probably too much personal information to share in thousands of copies of the school paper, but if one person picks up this issue and feels like they’re not alone because of this article- it was worth it.

In high school I wore a ‘true love waits’ ring, but I stopped wearing it in college because I got made fun of by a group of guys. To this day I regret having let someone else dictate who I was.

I’m actually happy I have waited this long, because I know that I have something very special to give someone one day.

I may get teased, but I don’t care. I am who I am- that’s a proud virgin.