I almost wish I could have had that sort of a delayed realization. I was checking out hot guys, knowingly though not loving myself for it, by the time I was 13.

A bike ride through the local park, somebody might suggest. "Don't mind if I do! Let's be sure we pass the tennis courts, shall we?"

But the thing is, I felt terrible about myself for that, for wanting so badly to pass those tennis courts and ogle the shirtless guys.

It took me several years before I stopped despising myself for that desire.

I don't know if I'd rather have lived in blissful ignorance or not. But since there's no changing the past, all I can acknowledges that I did not live in that ignorance.

It's interesting to hear stories from people who experienced things differently. So, thanks!