Alyssa Chambers
aachambe@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
In my kindergarten class many years ago, we had show-and-tell every Friday, and our object had to incorporate whatever letter of the alphabet we were currently focusing on. The most memorable week for me was “S” week. I decided I had to go big or go home.
Thursday night I marched into my parent’s bedroom where my mother was doing a ‘90s workout video and my Dad was in bed reading the newspaper. I explained to them that I needed to have the most epic show-and-tell presentation of all time, and that’s why they needed to come to class to represent “S” for sex.  My parents were floored by the proposal of their 5-year-old daughter. They quickly turned down the idea and sent me to my room.
My mother came in a few moments later and asked me where I had learned about sex. I had picked the term from various movies and TV shows but didn’t truly understand the act. My mother briefly explained the privacy and importance of the “adult” act and that “sex isn’t for show-and-tell.” This became our go-to term as I grew older and gained a better understanding.
My parents never preached about waiting for marriage. They allowed me to make my own decisions and mistakes. They simply reminded me that sex isn’t something that should be shared with everyone. Intimacy deserves privacy and should be respected by both participating parties, not shared with the rest of the class.
This simple phrase and humorous story stays with me today and has molded many of my relationships. Sex should remain private between the two individuals. My parents taught me to hold important relationships, along with the acts included in those relationships, close to my heart and out of the way of others amusement or judgment. Sex is not for show or tell.

Levi Meyer
dlmeyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
When I was 16 years old, I asked my mom about abstinence.
“Sex is a game, and marriage is the Super Bowl,” she said. “You don’t want to play in the big game without practicing first.”
I don’t think my mom wants me to practice too much. What’s most important to her is that I practice the right way, with the right girl(s). It doesn’t matter if it’s before or after marriage. If I’m going to do it, I must do it right.
To me, sex is a special, shared experience that is an important part of getting to know someone. It’s equally physical, spiritual and emotional. If any are lacking, it isn’t a meaningful experience.
But most importantly, sex is natural. It’s not an unreachable prize that comes with marriage or a weekly dirty deed with a sultry stranger. It’s a normal, enjoyable activity to be shared with someone special. Nobody should feel guilty to want it and have it.
I don’t blame those who wait until marriage for having a tight chastity belt. If waiting is the best option, then wait. But why would anyone feel guilty for succumbing to a natural, primal urge?
If you’re raised to wait until marriage, sex can be a touchy subject. Sexual urges can cause feelings of guilt and frustration and can lead to hasty decisions if the urges aren’t dealt with in a healthy manner. Ultimately, those who don’t plan on having sex until marriage are subject to being unprepared when someone turns up the temperature. A lot of unexpected things can happen in the heat of the moment.
To fight the unexpected, it’s important to embrace sexual urges. They aren’t sinful or uncontrollable, they are natural.
Next time you play the game, remember what my dear mother said. Practice makes perfect, but only if it’s the right kind of practice. Stretch, warm up and show that you know the ins and outs of the game. And, for safety’s sake, don’t forget head protection.