Growing up, I was never allowed to watch PG-13 movies, until I was old enough to discern movies of quality, or pre-approved by my parents. When I was a teen, probably around 15, this rule was still in place. I was out with a group of 'friends' during the summer, getting lunch, coffee, etc...The only reason I was invited, was because my lifelong best friend was popular and brought me along with her. This group of teens decided they wanted to see the movie "Eight Legged Freaks", rated PG-13. Well, this was quite the dilemma for me. I knew I shouldn't see it, nor did I want to. You didn't have to be a genius to know this was not a movie of quality. I couldn't leave, a parent had dropped of my best friend and me, and this was before every child under 12 had their own cell phone, so you had to plan a pick-up time. And I didn't want to sit around for 2+ hours by myself. What to do? What to do?! I could either disobey my parents and their trust to join in on the so-called fun, or I could stand my ground, do the right thing and see something appropriate.

I tried to persuade this group of ten or so to see another movie. To no avail, not even after the explanation that I was not allowed, did they care. The movie was about to start and I had to make a decision! I finally decided I did not want to be a part of a group that cared so little about me. They all went to see the movie, while I sat alone, completely alone, in an empty theater watching "Stuart Little 2". Not even my best friend came with me. This was not a decision that changed history, seeing the movie would not have changed my life. But I proved to myself that doing the right thing and not the popular thing was enough for me, even if that meant I was alone. And this at the ripe old age of 15!

Of this group, I am the only one with a well-adjusted attitude and life. I had one boyfriend-turned husband, a good job, no children yet, and am financially stable. This best friend is now an "arms distance friend", others in the group were married and divorced, in AA or drug rehab, or shacked up and knocked up  - all by 21 years old. I can't help but feel pity for them, never learning or accepting the lesson I learned at 15.

Michaela

P.S. This was the first, and last outing I was invited to with this group. Which was perfectly fine with me.