Extended-Family Beach Vacay

Carly T.  •  Pennsylvania  •  24

 

I was 13... It was the night before we left for the annual extended-family beach vacay. I LOVE THE BEACH. Relaxing? Not this time. YOU CAN’T WEAR A PAD IN THE OCEAN. And of course it was after midnight, so my mom was zonked out getting ready for a 6 hour drive.

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I woke her up and she told me where to find tampons, and I probably spent 2 hours going through a half a box before I went back demanding her to tell me how to even attempt to get a tampon into, what I now know is called, the urethra... that same night, I discovered what my actual vagina was, got a tampon in there, and tried my damnedest to ignore it’s uncomfortable fit. 

After connecting with my cousins and conscious mother the next day, I was finally taught how to insert a tampon further than an inch inside myself.

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It Happens to Hilary Duff

Mary R.  •  Alabama  •  26

 

I was thirteen. Monday morning, P.E. Class. I went to the locker room bathroom and there it was. I thought I was dying. I told my friend in the stall beside me. She offered me a pad, but I didn’t take it. I was overwhelmed with emotion and panicked. I needed to leave. I checked out of school. My mom stayed at home at the time and I lived right behind the school, but she was out running an errand so I had to wait for what felt like years to get through to someone. She didn’t have her cell phone with her so I couldn’t get in touch with her (go figure). My grandfather, a crass WW2 veteran, had to pick me up. I made up some story to him about having a stomach ache. When I got home, my mom arrived at the same time. I went into the house and couldn’t hold it in any longer. I started to cry. I told her what happened. She hugged me, told me it was okay, and that I could do anything I wanted that day.

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At the time, I was obsessed with Hilary Duff. After locking myself in my room and crying for a long time, I went into the living room and asked my mom, “Does Hilary Duff have a period?” She kindly told me, “Yes, baby. Even Hilary Duff has a period. It’ll be okay.” 

For whatever reason, at that very moment I was okay. I realized that a period was not something to be ashamed of. Every woman has it. Until we realize that, we cannot truly embrace it for what it is. 

Now, I love my period. Almost as much as my thirteen year old self loved Hilary Duff.

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Slumber Party Panic

Rachel S.  •  Indiana  •  23

 

I was 13 and I was at my friend Kaili’s sleepover for her birthday. Kaili’s parties were always a big deal where a bunch of girls were invited. I remember I had on my absolute favorite pair of panties, because it was a special occasion!

I went to the bathroom and there was some super weird stuff in my underwear... i started panicking. But I kept my cool. I changed my underwear and hoped for the best.

The next day I was full on gushing blood. But LUCKILY I made it home before any of my girl friends could notice. I told my mom and she got me a pad. But I had (OBVI) never used one, and didn't realize that you have to take the plastic wrapper off the pad and put the sticky part in your underwear.

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So... I opened it and put the WHOLE DAMN THING in my underwear.

I walked out and said to my mom, "man... these aren't very comfortable!" And my mom said, “Wait, you took the plastic part off, right?"

The answer was a solid “nope.”

After that, things went a lot smoother (literally). Although it would take me a good 3 YEARS to finally figure out how to use a tampon.

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