Credits:
Kit used: Faith Trues Uptown Girl except for Small plastic heart which is by Victoria Feemster
Fonts: KGD Becky (my own handwriting font!), PegsannaHMK, Weezerfont
Journaling:
When I was in high school, probably age 15 or so, a friend of mine, Holly Tyler, was given a chastity ring by her parents. She explained to me that it was a visible sign of a promise she made to her parents and to God that she would wait to have sex until her wedding night. I immediately knew I wanted one as well, since Id already decided that I wanted to wait for my someday husband, so he would know how important he was to me, even before I knew him. I remember my mom telling me in my early teens that both she and my dad had waited until they were married, and it was something that stuck with me. Through attending youth group and Sunday school at the Methodist church, I had learned how God had reserved sex for marriage, and I felt He was making a personal call to me. When I told my mom I wanted a chastity ring, of course I figured she would be thrilled. But Im pretty sure she didnt think I was serious about it, and I practically had to beg, even though Im still not sure why. Finally they gave in (I can be stubborn when I need to be -ha!) and they let me pick out my ring, a simple ring with 2 tiny diamond chips, as a birthday present. I was so proud of my ring, wearing it on my left hand, which is why most people automatically assumed I was engaged. Throughout college, as I would meet anyone new, I would often have to explain the ring, and what it stood for. I always secretly delighted in their surprise when I would explain what it was really about. I liked being different in that way. Neither Beto or I can remember when I first told him about the ring, but we know it was before we started dating exclusively. He was always very supportive of my decision and glad that I was willing to save that special gift for him on our wedding night. And there were many times in our relationship that the ring proved a very needed physical reminder that we - notice the WE - wanted to wait, that we were committed to my promise to God, and that in the end, we knew it would make our marriage stronger and more blessed, as God promises to those who follow Him. Shortly before our wedding, we had a jeweler in Queretaro take the diamonds out of my ring and set in Betos ring as a special symbol of my love for him. When theyre old enough, we plan on telling our children, whether daughter(s) or son(s), about the ring, what it stood for, and why it was so important to our marriage. And our hope is that they too will ask us for a purity ring (as they are known today), and well gladly take them to pick out the ring that will hopefully be a central part of the love story they share with their future husbands or wives. We want them to know this: It wasnt always easy, but it was always worth it.
