In this day and age, it has become overwhelmingly apparent that chivalry and standards in dating and marriage have gone out the window. Don't get me wrong, there are many amazing husbands and boyfriends out there, but having grown up as a Millennial, the selection is dwindling.

I have been in an amazing, God-given relationship for over two years now, so I know the pressures that society and friends push to "just have a little fun." However, I refuse to be ridiculed and ashamed of my choices in my relationship. There have been countless times where I am asked how far I have gone with my boyfriend or other related questions, and quite frankly that isn't anyone's business.

Today I am here to say that I am sick and tired of being laughed at, and being told I am "no fun" just because I want to save myself for my future husband. I have had multiple friends who have had sex before they were married and I have been there for them every step of the way. Some have regretted their decision, and others fully own it. Never once have I shamed them into feeling guilty for their decisions and I always expect to be treated the same.

My mom once gave me some of the most influential advice for dating someone, "If you kiss your boyfriend/girlfriend, and then you break up, you were just kissing someone else's, husband/wife." This is what helped me make my decisions every time I would start talking to a guy. I would pray about my relationships and ask God where I should be, or if I was supposed to be with a guy forever because I wanted my first kiss to be my last first kiss with my future husband.

Now, I realize this mindset and way of life is not for everyone, and as I have said before, I am absolutely not condemning anyone who is not like me. In fact, John 15:18-19 says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." This verse is something I have stood by my whole life in making my decisions. Knowing that even though I am hated by others, or others are ridiculing me for my decisions, this world is not my home, and I am following what I believe in.

I was once given a perfect analogy as to why saving yourself for marriage works. If you take a piece of duct tape and stick it to something over and over again, soon it will stop sticking at all. However, if you take a piece of duct tape and stick it to something once, it will stay basically forever. This is how I see myself in my relationships, and why I have decided to keep myself for my husband.

Therefore, I am here to say that I am waiting to have sex until I am married and I am okay with standing out and being ridiculed because I will stand firm in my faith and beliefs.