Move Over Susan Boyle - This 21 Year Old Girl Really Never Has Been Kissed

As soon as Susan Boyle broke on to the scene as a web sensation (thanks to her "I Dreamed a Dream" performance on Britain's Got Talent), the immediate subtitle to her amazing performance was something to the effect of "And She's Never Been Kissed." This, of course, was later found to be untrue; however, there is a 21 year old girl in Washington who anxiously awaits her July wedding day to experience her first ever kiss.



Rachel Welch decided at 14 years old that she wanted to wait to kiss anyone until her wedding day. While I know Rachel isn't the only girl or guy to make this commitment, it is awesome to see some news outlets pay attention to a girl and guy with hearts bent toward experiencing real love, passion and intimacy the way God designed it be enjoyed.

My favorite line in her interview (with fiance Todd Ritter) was the one where she answered the objections of Todd's friends who asked "what if she's a terrible kisser? Or what if there are no sparks?" She replied "then we get our whole lives to work on it." AWESOME! Marriage is the place we are supposed to develop sparks and learn how to enjoy all the joys and benefits of sexual intimacy. To think we learn by practicing on others, then marrying someone else is a ridiculous lie that our culture has bought in to without question.

Props to Rachel (and Todd for honoring her and her promise)... this is the foundation of real love!

Share this video with your teens! Also, I encourage you to check out my post "Abstinence is Wrong" for more about this sort of commitment. Singles, take heart - it is never too late!

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EDITORIAL NOTE: Again, I apologize for the long delay in writing. My parents have been in town and so I've taken some time off to be with them. They left earlier today (bummer), so I am back writing and dialoguing!

Bristol and Levi: A Little Too Late?

A few days ago, Bristol Palin’s boyfriend/fiancé (Levi Johnston) announced that he and Bristol were no longer together. While I despise gossip magazines that litter their pictures and false stories all over their covers, this story deserves a little attention.

When the teens announced that they were expecting a baby last August, it thrust them in front of the national spotlight because Bristol’s mom had just been announced as John McCain’s running mate in his presidential bid. So, I wrote a blog entry discussing the consequences of our decisions (you can read that here) and how they affect us in ways we never thought they would/could later (her words on her plans prior to finding out she was pregnant: “I never would have thought I would have been a mom and I would have never thought my mom would have been chosen for Vice President”).

Fast forward to February 16th – Bristol gives an interview with FOX News, stating that teens should wait “10 years” to have a child and that the ideal way to prevent teen pregnancy is abstinence; “BUT”, she continued, “it’s not realistic because [premarital sex] is so accepted among kids my age.” (See that video interview here) A note on this… of course it is unrealistic if your eyes and desires are only about you (and the people you use to judge your actions are your peers with their own self-seeking desires). Real love, however, takes REAL work… it’s hard! It requires you to put others (especially your partner) above yourself! Lust is easy… you see something, you like it, you take it… love requires commitment and integrity!

Then, fast forward to today – the new mommy and daddy are now no longer together. A few short months ago they were planning a wedding/future together. Now, they are “off.” Why? According to Levi, it’s because they (or he is) are not “mature” enough for marriage. (?!?!?)

This is probably the most mature decision the couple has made so far. Unfortunately, the timing of it now makes it an immature reaction. The time to decide if one is mature enough for a committed relationship is prior to taking/giving away each other's purity (minds, hearts, bodies, etc.), not after – and DEFINITELY not after you bring a child into the world. Their decision now is not about them, but about their child.

I’m not here, necessarily, to criticize Levi or Bristol – I have no idea what’s going on in their lives, nor is it my business. There may be legitimate reasons for them not to be married or be together, but my point is that those decisions need to come earlier (see my "purity blog entry here: “Abstinence is Wrong”).

TEENS: In her interview, Bristol says she hopes other teens learn from her story. I agree – I hope you do. More than just pregnancy, though (because avoiding teen pregnancy is not the key here; what about your own purity? Your husband’s/wife’s feelings? Your children’s?), I pray you see how quickly “love” and situations can change (and yes it can happen to you, for those that think it won’t because you/your significant other are different). I pray you select carefully those you share your heart with and seek fulfillment in a Godly, committed relationship that desires to worship God and enjoy true love.

PARENTS: See my blog entry on purity for how to teach/navigate your children/teens through these natural feelings. Click here to read it.

BRISTOL AND LEVI… I appreciate the love you both seem to have for your son and your desires to put him first. I know this season of your life is rough, but know that God’s grace, mercy and True Love are bigger and can prevail if you allow them to. I am praying for you two and your son.

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