David g asks: I met a girl at a camp about 3 years ago.
We started texting and we began to like each other. So we have been like that since then, no relationship, no meeting up, no kissing. It was just a texting thing even though we are not distant from each other. We just get to see each other on Sundays because we attend the same church. During our early days of texting, we shared our secrets. And at that time I was a virgin so I told her so and she liked me because of that. So somewhere this year, she had to be in school for her final exams. I entered college in September last year. So while she was in school, there was no communication between us. There were just a few times she called me and we spoke for a few minutes. So while I was in school and she was also in school, a lot of things happened because we weren’t really communicating with each other and a lot of girls kept coming my way while she was away even though I still had feelings for her. I broke my virginity and had sex a number of times. As of now she has completed school and we’re the same way we used to be before. But I’m really scared I might lose her if I tell her all what I did while she was in school. She would be very disappointed in me but I love her very much. What would you suggest I do?
Hi David g –
I guess you have three choices – you could break up with her, you could stay with her and not tell the truth, or you could stay with her and tell her the truth. Let’s look at those.
First, breaking up. It sure sounds like you’re attached to her, even though you two have had such a distant relationship, especially in this last year when you were in school. So while you could break up with her, it sounds like you don’t want to.
Second, keeping the truth from her. I have a big problem with this one, because it seems to me that, like when I steal a piece of pizza off of the table when no one’s looking, the truth always gets discovered (especially if I burp). This girl loved two things about you when you met – that you were open, sharing secrets, and that you were a virgin (I’m assuming she was too). You even go to the same church. This relationship is based in a sense of shared values and morality. So while I’m sure you’re right, that she wouldn’t like hearing that you’re no longer a virgin, I imagine she’d be much more upset to find out you were lying to her. Also, it’s hard to think that she didn’t imagine this might have happened while you were away and not communicating. So I’m really thinking that trying to keep the truth from her is just going to make things awful – if you succeed, you’ll always worry about it, and if you don’t, you’ll pay the same cost as if you told her.
And third, telling her. As you say, she won’t like it. But your doing this will show the same values she loved in you – your morality and honesty. And she has to acknowledge that she was distant from you. It’s not like you two were in constant contact or engaged to be married.
In fact, this relationship you’ve had with no physical contact? I’m thinking it’s time for that to end! We dogs don’t really understand love without kisses and pats and hugs. I think what you’ve done shows nobility, but it’s time to move on. And the fact that you’ve done these things away from her might be what it takes to get her to move to, at the very least, some friendly embracing.
So I’m on Team TellHer. If she can’t take it, and rejects you for it, then that tells us something about her – that maybe she isn’t a great bet for a long-term relationship (since eventually something ALWAYS comes along to disappoint everyone in any sort of couple). But if she can, if she accepts the truth of who you are, and (especially) if she makes some changes, then I think you might find this was a great thing that happened. Maybe the best.
Hoping this is the case!
Shirelle