DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dating this great guy for about five months now. He has recently expressed interest in taking things to the next level, and I would love to. However, there is one problem: I'm a virgin. It's not that I've never had the opportunity to have sex, but I was just more focused on my education and ensuring my financial stability than in dating. I know most people my age are out of that phase where they are experimenting and figuring out what works for them or teaching their partner how to do what they like. How can I break this to him? -- 32-Year-Old Virgin, Racine, Wisconsin
DEAR 32-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN: Given how long you have waited, you should by all means take your time now. In a nonintimate setting, talk to your boyfriend about what it means for you to take the next step. Absolutely tell him that you are a virgin -- and explain why. You need to be clear why you feel comfortable walking through that door with him. It's OK for him to feel nervous about the prospect. Do not take this step lightly. When he learns your history, he may want to slow down. That is great.
Becoming sexually intimate with someone should be considered one of the most sacred experiences -- at least from my perspective -- and should not be entered into casually.