Elaine dreamt of finding a best friend in high school who would be the love of her life and accomplish her fairy tale of marrying her first love and high school sweetheart.

When Elaine met Fred, she knew friendship was a top priority. After following dramatic soap operas, she believed open honesty would make love last.

As their relationship developed, Elaine and Fred were drawn physically. Fred advanced on her, but Elaine shared her beliefs before proceeding. ” Fred, I can’t deny our attraction and I am interested but I promised myself I wouldn’t have sex until I was certain of a commitment. As a woman, I’d have harder consequences to deal with and I’d rather enter that responsibility knowing I have a partner by my side.”

Though Fred was disappointed, he loved her honesty and took it as a signal to build a union with her. He understood they both had years of school and maturity before making a lifelong commitment.

After her admittance, Elaine’s belief that Fred was hers grew stronger. She could wait for a romantic proposal and torture herself with uncertainty or she could follow her heart and openly ask him. Elaine decided to continue with open honesty.

“Fred, I know we’re only teenagers, but I want to spend my life with you. You’re going to university, so it won’t be next year. Would you be willing to be engaged to me for a long time? Fred, will you marry me?”

“Sure, we could do that. I’d love to commit to us and grow together. Who says we must rush into marriage?” Fred replied, smiling.

When this young couple shared their news, they received the response they expected, ” What? When’s the wedding? Next year? When’s the baby coming?”

No baby was expected, and they would be engaged for five and a half years. When everybody was shocked with the truth, Elaine and Fred walked away together laughing.

Elaine said with laughter, “How could we be pregnant when we haven’t even slept together! Wow, real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. I’m so happy we know what we want, even if nobody else understands. I love you, Fred!”

 

Inspired by “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” – Oprah Winfrey