Hour 8: Notes to My Teenaged Self on Boys, Dating, Sex, Men and Love
I. Boys
They will not be truly interesting until their 20’s,
and maybe not even then
When they do dumb shit to impress you,
rolling your eyes only makes it worse.
The less interested you are, the harder they try.
(Be wary of your best friend’s crush.)
They always want to go “all the way”
even if they have no clue how to get there.
Being “one of the guys” does not make you a guy,
and they never forget that.
II. Dating
Your first boyfriend should not be the guy who cheated on his girlfriend with you,
even if you were together for two years.
Flowers on your homeroom desk, notes in your locker, and holding hands in hallways
should always be appreciated.
If you’re always driving him around, get gas money.
Nobody rides for free.
If he doesn’t call you his girlfriend in front of his friends,
you’re not.
Cut cheaters loose.
You already knew this could happen.
III. Sex
You’re going to give it up sometime so be smart and use condoms.
It doesn’t matter that you make it to almost 40 without getting pregnant. Things work better when you’re younger.
You do not have to be in love to have sex.
You don’t even really have to like him, but it helps.
It’s fun and sweet, and if it’s not,
you’re doing it with the wrong person.
Get to know your body.
You won’t know what you like until you try it.
Sex isn’t a tool, a bribe or a reward.
You’ll be ashamed of that later.
IV. Men
They still do dumb shit to impress you,
but now sometimes it works.
Always wear a bra, especially in air conditioning.
Your eyes are up here.
If he’s more than ten years older than you,
why is he into a teenager?
They have feelings too.
I know…I was also surprised by this one.
They still always want to go “all the way” only
now they ask for directions.
V. Love
It isn’t a tool, a bribe, or a reward.
Fall into it as often as you can.
You can get back up.
It’s never the same twice,
that doesn’t mean it isn’t as good.
Never regret it. You may change someone’s life forever.
Maybe even your own.