Dear _____, I am crushed by the thought that there's been a dating roster before the only guy I want to be with for the rest of my life. But please don't let this be the reason why you think I am too young to be focusing on just one guy. Please also know that when I love, I only love one person at a time. I've had my faults and have cheated a couple of times on some guys, but I'm over that. I grew up, believe it or not. Please don't tell me to experience other guys before I settle down. There's no point even in explaining to you that I don't want that. I don't want to experience other guys, a thousand other guys before my husband. Do you think I only want to give what's left of myself to him rather than what I have now? Do you think I'd prefer to taste other lips, hold other hands than the one I'm focused on right now? Do you think I find it amusing that you're telling me that I'm way too young to be serious on a relationship? Do you even have any idea at all that I've been through countless relationships over the past 3 years of my life that if you ask me to recall every guy I've flirted, dated, gone out with, I wouldn't remember them all? Do you even know that I'm sick of every relationship that failed that's why I chose to settle down? Don't you think that I've experienced too many things too early in my life thus the result being this, me focusing on just one guy? What do you think of me? A fluttering butterfly that would taste every sweet nectar I could find? Do you think I haven't had enough?! I've had plenty. I've had more than I should have been exposed to. I've cried. I've loved. I've shed trears. I've ran away, I've played around, I've kissed, I've hugged, I've done a million other things you never thought I'm capable of. Yeah, what? Does that surprise you yet? I've been with younger, older guys. I've been with guys of different races, of different walks of life. I've been with guys with divorced parents. I've been with guys who're supporting themselves at an early age. I've been with guys who came from troubled families, who slept in basketball courts, who asked a favor or two from a friend. I've been with guys who never studied. I've been with smart guys. I've been with guys who made me blush. I've been with guys who sang to me, played with my hair, held my hand and traced my face as if it were an artwork. I've been with guys who danced with me under the moonlight. I've been with guys who didn't have money in their pockets. I've been with guys who had fancy cars. I've been with guys who kick other guys' asses. I've been with guys who preferred skateboards. I've been with guys who took me on romantic dates. I've been with the sloppier ones. I've been with sick horny bitch ass guys. I've been with emotionally-mature, respectable guys. And you tell me I haven't had enough?

You actually think I want some more, don't you? Well here's a thought for you and swallow it hard. Do not tell me these things because I know what I'm doing. At 18, believe me, I've been through enough. I've seen different people. I've seen different places with different people. I've seen time slip away because of these people. I've been there. I've done that. Don't you dare tell me I still need to go out, explore and expand my horizons. That is the biggest piece of bull I will ever hear from you. Do not tell me I am too young. Do not tell me I don't know yet if this is the last of my relationships. Do not tell me that I am rash and emotional and I make mistakes. I KNOW ALL OF THAT ALREADY. Now, what if I tell you that I have serious plans of getting married soon? That I want a baby, a family and a life with the person I love? What if I tell you that we have plans of moving in together? That we have plans of living together even though I am barely 19. What if I tell you that I want to get out of this house and live on my own? That I would rather live with him than with you? What? Tell me how you're going to react. Yeah, that's right. Don't tell me you want me to go out with other guys. I've gone through enough. I don't need any more. I only need him. I choose not to listen to you this time. You're my mother, yes. But at 18, I'm my own mama. Please, remember that. I'm doing what I want because my heart and mind are telling me what to do this time. I'm not breaking any of your expectations. I'm not disappointing you. I'm just doing what I feel is right. So please. Don't give me all that bull. I might just turn my back and let everything you say go out my other ear. Seriously. I will. Give me this chance to live. Besides, I've done everything else already.

You think that just because there've been a lot of short-term relationships before Pao that I'm not capable of making it work? HAH! Watch me. Changing the framed photographs is just the first step.