Perfectly Imperfect

Authors Note: Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and these are some thoughts in anticipation of the date and to share how my husband, Aaron, and I first met and began falling in love . 

There aren’t too many of us who are fortunate enough to receive a Valentine greeting that is as truthful as the one above; unless it is from a naturist/nudist spouse. Only someone who is committed to another in heart, mind and soul dares to be bold enough to openly admit to their emotional shortcomings and physical aberrations.

Many often profess their love for each other in symbolic and materialistic ways that really don’t represent their devotion. Valentine’s Day is an occasion where lover’s (partners, spouses, significant others, etc.) demonstrate their love through gifts and in spending time together (dinner, romantic evening or get-away, etc.). These may be sincere gestures but are they done because they are a custom/expectation? What about the remaining 364 days of the calendar year?

My husband and I first met one another at a same gender loving men’s nude social event to celebrate the Memorial Day (end of May) holiday weekend. Prior to that evening, we’d never seen one another. I was a member of the group hosting the gathering and he was a guest of some friends who were also members. It was Aaron’s very first time at a gay social nudist function.

It wasn’t exactly “love at first sight” but it was absolutely a case where when we made eye contact, it was “serious interest” at first sight! The very next day, we had our first official date (dinner at a local restaurant) where we both had to wear clothes. We then went to Aaron’s apartment (the clothes came off) and the next morning, at breakfast, I found a note on my plate.

It read: “I love you and all of your imperfections.” It was signed: Aaron. During the previous evening, our first “official” date, we had discussed our imperfections and how they helped add character to our perceptions of ourselves and how others perceived us.

Understand that our imperfections are more than just our physical short-comings. They are also our emotional “baggage” that we bring with us in our relationships, be they familial, intimate or friendship. As Aaron and I had disclosed to each other the previous evening, we honestly admitted our own failures and what areas we felt we needed to improve. I thought then and still believe that we were both being frightfully honest with each other.

At that exact moment, reading Aaron’s note, I knew this man was too good to be true.

I’d made some very foolish mistakes in my past. Who among us hasn’t? But this man I wasn’t going to give up without a fight! And I’ve held onto him ever since!

The truth is, our nudity is a gift that we give to others. No one of us is physically “perfect.” All of us have physical imperfections and clothing is one of the ways we use to conceal these imperfections from others. Through social nudity, we are showing our trust in others by allowing them to see the reality of who we truly are; physical imperfections included. Clothes are no longer necessary.

Once the clothing is gone, our emotional honesty became a “non-issue.” If the false sense of security garments afford is removed, the necessity of guarded feelings is superfluous.

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride