[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQatQahrzs]

“Oh!  No no no!  There’s no touching during this part. It’s about the simple intimacy of the near-touch…”
~Pageant/Dance Coordinator: Vampire Diaries~

Sometimes, I feel sorry for my generation and the ones after. Seems like everyone has gotten so caught up in “mating” that they’ve lost the art of the dance that used to accompany it. I’m blessed to still enjoy the art of the “near-touch”. It’s those moments in courtship that have absolutely nothing, yet absolutely everything to do with physical and emotional intimacy.

In retrospect, I have only been “in-love” twice in my adulthood. Both of those periods in my life were filled with intimacy on many levels – most of which occurred before our first kisses. I think that’s the thing that keeps me from being sexually and even romantically promiscuous (<- people who OD in relationship after relationship).

As far as the sexual aspect is concerned, some women attribute their restraint to morals, values, and the like. Although, those things are certainly important to me – the truth is that I like to savor everything that leads up to “that” moment. It takes every interaction to a different height. The same thing holds true for me in relationships – the dance leading up to the moment of truth (genuine emotional vulnerability) is what allows me to treasure the moment because the journey was so beautiful.

While I’m writing, I’m also wondering if maybe that’s also why I’m not jaded/bitter about my past loves (good and bad) the way that I’m beginning to find a lot of people. I can still close my eyes and hear the soundtrack – relive the choreography for each one. When I see people who flaunt their sexuality or simplify relationships to business transactions/formulas, checklists and scoresheets, I can always tell that they have never experienced “the near-touch”. Maybe for them, ignorance is bliss. But for me, bliss is when my palm is facing my partner’s (no touching during that part )…our eyes are locked…and the music begins…