Bidding on Virgins

What if I told you your virginity is worthless?

Well it is.

Your virginity (or lack of virginity) holds no value to me, or in my opinion, to God.

When the Bible was written X amount of years ago, society’s parents at that time sold their virgin daughters to the highest bidders. Whether in hopes of them having a good life with a wealthy household, or possibly in greed to better their own provisions. Today, however, you will not find it common that parents are selling off their children into marriage. Arranged marriages are far and few between in our culture.

Yet the value religious society places on virginity stands so firmly as some important necessity to being a good and devout partner.

Your virginity is worthless.

Not because you are worthless, but for the exact opposite reason. Your value is not based on your lack of sexual prowess (or your extreme sexual sophistication). Instead you should know you are valuable because You ARE.

I hope parents can take this message to their children, and talk honestly and openly about sex and relationships. This is not a call to go sleeping around, there are still real life consequences to sex; unplanned pregnancies and STDs are two of them. I also believe that emotionally, sex ties yourself to your partner. So it makes leaving unhealthy situations harder, it makes abandonment a little rougher, it makes the hurt of heartbreak a little more real… But these are all decisions and experiences you choose for yourself. Some lessons can only be learned the hard way.

The message I hope you walk away from is that even if you’re hurting, heartbroken, lost, or virginless – you are just as valuable as before and continue to be.

God did not bid on your virginity, He bid for YOU and He went all in with a Royal Flush.

Dan Vernon Photography – Mayhem #2761891

I. Am. Beautiful.

“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

We live in a culture where we are imposed with two contradicting messages: if you don’t say you’re beautiful you are insecure and if you say you are, then well, you are cocky.

I have a different message for those reading my blog…

Be cocky!

Say you’re beautiful.

Say you’re sexy.

You are your biggest fan!

Finding confidence in yourself does not bring others down, as a matter of fact, when done right, it does the exact opposite.

“There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.” – Marianne Williamson

Just because you find yourself beautiful doesn’t mean everyone will, but the only person’s opinion you have to live with is your own. When you shine through in confidence, others find inspiration to also live fully themselves.

“The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.” – Robert Hand

Let me assure you, I have been in both sides. Living in a head of insecure lies is not nearly as enticing as living with this cocky son of a bitch.

As the saying goes, you do you. There is nothing more beautiful, sexy, interesting, or important than the youest of yous.

“I believe with all my heart that the cliches are true, that we are our own best friends and best company, and that if you’re not right for yourself, it’s impossible to be right for anyone.” – Rachel Machacek

 

“Just a boy”

 

 

One kiss from you and I’m drunk up on your potion.
That big old smile is all you wore.
Girl you make me want to feel,
things I’ve never felt before.

– “Just a boy” by Angus and Julia Stone

 

 

Photo Credit: Kevin Grant

Photog Feature: Jon Deckert

 

 

 

 

So happy to have met Jon and had the opportunity to work with him! Not only has he become a great friend, but he is also a very talented photographer. Check out more of his work here.

 

More photos from this shoot will be posted here! Go like the page so you don’t miss any updates.