SLV Women’s Res. Center
The Paw Print
On a college campus these days it seems that people who consider sex to be a free commodity are the norm. The general consensus from our society and from our media is that sexy is in, sex is fun, and there isn’t much more to it than doing what feels good. It’s an old fashioned notion to think that it should be preserved for marriage, right? College campuses are the place to experience relationships and figure out how they work – that usually includes sex– since after all, it’s hard to tell if a relationship will work if you don’t try that aspect of it out.
Well, talk to Barb Wise and she might have a different perspective about the experiences of college relationships and sexuality. See, Barb had a bit of “fun” in college. She dated around, slept around, and it wasn’t that big of a deal, right? After all, college is for exploring who you are as a person. So she did what many college students do, not knowing that it could really affect her. Even when she decided that the lifestyle wasn’t really for her she didn’t think too much of the ramifications of her past decisions. Fast forward a year or two and Barb and Rick are dating, they’re talking about marriage and they’ve made a commitment to wait until marriage for sex. Rick’s a virgin, but he loves Barb for her, not for what he’s getting from her. Knowing that she had had past sexual partners Barb did what any caring individual would do and went to get tested for STI’s. After all, how awful would it be if she were to give a disease she didn’t know she had to this man she loved? You can imagine the surprise Barb must have felt when the Dr. walked out and the words came out that she was, “HIV positive.” She was shattered.
Take a minute and put yourself in her shoes… you’ve made some choices you wish maybe you hadn’t, you’ve maybe had a few relationships that weren’t the greatest, and now along comes this amazing guy who is willing to love you for who you are. Your past is behind you and you’re looking forward to this new season of your life. It’s going to be amazing.
But now this. You’re not sure that the rest of your life is going to continue on this happy trajectory after you tell this amazing man your awful news. The thoughts run wild through your head, “How could I have been so stupid?”, “My life is over”, “What if I die soon?” “What if I get married and I give this to Rick?”
Eventually Barb told Rick, and instead of dumping her, he proposed. Can you even imagine that kind of love?
Rick and Barb have been married 19 years and though they’ve faced the struggles that come with Barb’s HIV they are still going strong. Today they travel around the country speaking about the hope that there is for those who think they’ve ruined their future for relationships and spreading the message that it’s not too late to change. This message is for anyone who’s ever been in a relationship, loved someone, or wished that they could change the way they’re living their life when it comes to love and sex.
The meeting is scheduled for November 19th in the Richardson Hall Auditorium at 7 PM. Admission is free.
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