Jessica, let me start off by apologizing for the excessive highlighting, but there is so much that resonates with this piece. I too was raised in a strict Catholic household and was taught the same attitudes towards sex/sexuality.

Had the conversations been different growing up, I may not have ended up in the series of traumatic and abusive relationships I've survived. I would have seen myself and my body as more than just a vessel for my ex-husbands pleasure, I would have respected it more, and in turn expected him to have the same respect. Thank you so much for sharing this... it is such an important conversation to have!