I was heartbroken. The love of my life had decided to stop loving me. I was only 17. I remember going to church that Sunday annoyed at...

We were huddled together on the top of a lifeguard tower on a beautiful beach. It was late at night and superbly dark. The only light...

The ocean was angry. Its waves were pounding powerfully against the bottom of the pier, forcing it to tremble. This was the same pier...

It took me two weeks to face my fear and do it. It was raining and I had nothing else to do. It was time to begin. I grabbed my wallet,...

I sit there, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, in a big blue recliner next to a brown Great Dane and in front of an old woman with...

He walked into the showroom. My knees went weak. He was 5'11", toned with olive skin, and wearing very fitted clothing. I rarely swoon...

Many of the men in my early years robbed me of my childhood, identity, beauty, health, and happiness. They don't deserve my words. Below...

I hesitated. He was close to me. He ask me to get down on one knee and to lean in. My eyes were closed. I was shaking in fear. But I did...

We were making quite a scene jumping up and down naked in the women’s locker room. My roommate and I had just gone for a swim and were...

It was CIF Water Polo Championships 2003, my Junior Year of High School. We were competing against our long time rival who had beat us a...

I was suspended. Under my feet was a piece of metal rope, at my hands another. I held on tight and balanced, while moving the carabiner...

Everyone was dancing. I, having just sprained my ankle, was wearing a nice dress with a heavy boot, so did my best to avoid the dance...

I've found it really challenging to track my progress through sexual abuse recovery because the process isn't linear. One day I feel...

I was walking down the BART stairs, while simultaneously texting. Apparently, this was a bad idea. I learned this the hard way one...

It was going to rain. Nervously, I called Phoebe, “Hey! So, I know that we planned on hiking Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite this weekend, but...

By: Anne Lauren We were walking, Innocent and I, down a paved path in The Tilden Hills of Berkeley, CA called Inspiration Point. This is...

By: Anne Lauren Recently, I attended a Paint and Wine event at Golden Gate Park. I arrived excited and ready to explore what could become...

By: Anne Lauren Life is full of firsts: first steps, first words, and first kisses to name a few. Recently I've had the privilege to...