So what if you’re saving yourself for the person you’re going to marry? So what if you have no experience with sex? So what if you’re willing to wait to give it to someone special? So what if you’re in your mid-20s and still a virgin?

So what?

You’re a virgin? There’s nothing to be ashamed about.

In fact, you should be proud of yourself. You should celebrate and be happy that you are able to hold onto your beliefs despite all the worldly temptations. You should remind yourself that you are strong for making it this far, pure and whole. You are smart for saying no to the ones who ask to sleep with you.

You are a virgin. You are beautiful. You are different. You are wholesome. You are brave. You are feisty. And you do not need to give a damn.

Don’t date people who expect you to undress with them after couple nights of getting-to-know-each-other. Be honest and tell someone who shows interest in you that you’re not going to have sex with them, unless you’re certain that they are the one you’re going to end up with.

And if they can’t understand that, leave them, let them go, walk away from them. They are not worth your time. They don’t deserve you.

Don’t chase the ones who broke up with you just because you couldn’t give them everything that they needed. Don’t cry for losing them. It only showed that they are not meant to stay in your life because they couldn’t respect you. Don’t doubt to give up your virginity for them, so you can have them back. Please do not lower your standards. Don’t regret that you got rid of them, even if they seemed to be the most perfect fit for you.

Don’t let them even cross your mind.

Your principles are bigger than them and their desires.

Ignore everyone who pressures you, and teases you to loosen up and just get laid already. You know yourself better than them. Ignore the burning desire in your heart that wants you to give your first kiss to a stranger, just because your best-friend did. You are who you are, and you don’t have to copy someone else’s behavior to look cool, or to prove something. Ignore the people who judge you and call you a freak for being a virgin.

Remind yourself that you are special. Remind yourself that you are not alone in this fight for purity.

Remember the days you took care of yourself, nourished yourself, and loved yourself. Remember the young kids who admired you for not being afraid to tell them that you’re saving yourself for your future lover. Remember the hope you brought to their eyes. Remember when they said they wanted to be like you when they grew up.

Remember when someone forced you to have sex with them, but you stood on your ground, and showed them that they have no power over you.

Be the virgin who inspires people. The one who lets everyone know that it is okay to wait and to save yourself. The person who encourages others to keep doing what is right for them, to support them for following a certain belief, and to give them light when they are in doubt.

Be the kind of person who believes that virginity has no expiration date. There is no certain age or limit when you should give it up. There is no specific time of the year that’s necessary and appropriate to lose it. It’s really all about the person, and your heart that says you’re ready.

Be grounded in your faith.
Be vigilant with who you date.
Be devoted in your ideology.

Be the kind of person who’s virgin, and proud.