Greetings, Everyone,

I find myself navigating the somewhat complex and uncomfortable world of dating and am seeking your valuable advice. At this point in my life, I don't have a dedicated place of worship, yet I identify as a 31-year-old Protestant/Christian woman—having spent my formative years in the Pentecostal faith. I'm your average looking, plus-sized, smart, and ambitious Jamaican woman with a passion for creative writing.

The journey I've embarked on involves the pursuit of a marital commitment before engaging in physical intimacy. While this choice is deeply meaningful to me, it has its fair share of challenges. Some gentlemen I've encountered have said to respect this boundary verbally, but they often attempt to push its limits. Some even express frustration, deeming it unrealistic in our modern era.

On the flip side, there was an intriguing encounter with a Catholic gentleman whose behavior took a subtle shift after I mentioned my Pentecostal upbringing. It left me wondering if my religious background played a role in his decision to distance himself.

I should clarify that I'm not keen on dating someone within the Pentecostal community for various reasons.

For those of you who uphold the value of waiting in the context of dating, have you ventured into relationships with non-Catholic women? If so, would you do it again, and what were the primary factors influencing your decision? Did differences in religious practices lead to disagreements, or were they more typical issues faced by couples?

I hope my post resonates with you. At the time of writing, my emotions are a mix of sadness and frustration so hopefully what I wrote is clear. Your insights, and perspectives are warmly welcomed.

With kind regards.

Update: Forgot to sign my name! lol. It's Sunnie XD

Update 2 on 10/07/2023: Thank you all for your response to my inquiries. I really appreciate the support from such a well knit community. You all are amazing. This definitely helps me a little more in my next steps on my dating journey. God bless you all. -Sunnie.