I am a virgin.  Yes, you read that right. I am 19 years old, a sophomore in college and a virgin.

All three of the above are facts, plain and simple, and none of them completely define me as a person. I’m also not ashamed to be any of those three things.

And don’t think that I’m doing the whole “waiting for marriage” thing. I believe that sex is just one aspect of a relationship that comes after being able to trust, love and be honest with your significant other 100 percent. Sorry random guy I just met at the bar, but you don’t fall into any of those categories.

I’ve never been in love or even close to it. Frankly, love is something I don’t feel ready for at this moment in time, and to me love is an important piece of sex.

Nowadays it seems like everyone is pushing college students to use their four years to experiment and have their weird sexual experiences now to get it out of their system. But what about those people who don’t want to go home with any guy or girl at the bar or give it up to a person they’ve been dating for a few months?

Don’t get me wrong, if you want to sleep around or be the classic lady in the streets and freak in the sheets, then by all means do it.  It’s just not my thing, and there are many others in college who don’t see it as theirs either.

I’ve ventured out to the bars before and been hit on, even been asked to go home with a guy but I’ve always said no. Why? Not because I’m a prude or a goody-two shoes but because I don’t want to swipe my v-card with any guy who throws his attention my way. I’ve waited 19 years now, so why shouldn’t I wait a little longer?

So guys and gals, be proud of your virginity and raise those v-cards high because your virginity is something unique. Save it for that right time, whether it’s in two months or two years (or possibly longer) because your first time is a pretty big landmark that deserves to be remembered.