What strikes me is the sad viewpoint that the sexual innocence of your body is viewed negatively … to give your virginity to someone you love really should, in my traditional viewpoint, be treasured.

How much less messy would all of our lives be if we didn’t come with the emotional baggage of sexual intimacy with others before our longterm (hopefully life long) partner.

More like the expectations men have of themselves

I think a misplaced perspective here is also that you cheated on your girlfriend because you were worried about not being good at sex…

Be foolish, win foolish prizes.

That being said I hope HSV2 hasn’t been so bad for you. You are still datable. There are many people with herpes and all people make mistakes.

Your dad was strategizing on how he would never have to remember to put the seat down again