By S&S

This is the story of my own discovery and adoption of nudism, how I shared that discovery with my girlfriend S, how she came to love the experience as well, and how - now that we are engaged to be married - we hope to carry on in the lifestyle in our family life.

It all started in 2003. I was 16 and working as a grocery clerk and would frequently read TIME magazine between orders. One issue in the summer featured an article called “Nude Family Values” all about nudist camps in America. It piqued my interest, and so I began researching the new term "nudism" on the Internet. I found several sites with information and links to nudist resorts and groups in my area. The most helpful sites by far were Sunny Day’s site and Fig Leaf Forum.

I had always enjoyed the feeling of being nude, and often slept nude and spent time nude in my room or around the house when no one was home, for no reason in particular, other than to simply enjoy the freedom of being nude. It wasn't until I started researching that I discovered there were other people out there that enjoyed being nude like I did.

By late 2004, I was involved in some online message board communities, but never had any plans to visit a nudist resort. Earlier in 2004 I had begun a relationship with a bubbly, cute girl, S, and by this time our relationship had progressed far enough that we were committed to a long-term relationship. I wasn't sure how she would react to my preference for nudity; I thought she would think it was weird or something. So other than keeping up with the message boards, I tabled my interest in naturism until early 2006, when as freshmen in college together I finally revealed to her my regular practice of going nude in my dorm room, and my curiosity in visiting a nude club or beach. After sharing all this with her, it turns out she didn't think it was weird that I liked to be nude. She actually said she wished she could just relax about changing in front of her roommate and being nude around her after a shower, but her roommate was squeamish about her even changing shirts in front of her. She also admitted that she (like myself) used to go nude in her room or around the home when no one was home, for no reason other than the feeling of freedom. I was delighted when I found this out, and I was confident that she would agree to visit a nude club with me.

However, further discussion revealed that she wasn't as enthusiastic about going nude in front of others, especially other men. She did not think it was appropriate as it might cause others – especially other men – to lust. Interestingly, my biggest fear was that being around other nude women - especially younger women - would prove overwhelming in terms of keeping my mind straight and clean. In response to these apprehensions but out of a desire to still investigate getting involved in nude recreation. Together we went through some Fig Leaf Forum articles. The most helpful was Fig Leaf Forum’s Issue 101: “Christian Nudism 101” (and later the “Christian Nudist Apologia”). Over time and after much discussion, she got to the point where she agreed to visit a nudist resort with me. As a precaution, we established a “safe word” – if either of us were uncomfortable and said that word while we were nude at the resort, we would get alone to talk about it, and I promised we would leave if she truly felt uncomfortable. She tells me now that that kind of care for her feelings really helped her feel ready and secure about taking the plunge. The only way she would be able to go nude in front of others is if she felt completely comfortable and safe with me there by her side and perceptive to her feelings.

We found a nude campground that was only 30 minutes from my home. One weekend in June 2006 when she was visiting me, we were able to set aside an entire afternoon to ourselves, so we decided today would be the day! We were nervous and quiet on the drive up. Months of discussion and preparation weighed on us – this was REALLY happening now. I suppose we were both nervous because we truly did not know what to expect – neither of us had been nude around other people before! I tried to keep cool (for her sake) by trying to make small talk. Earlier she had broken her flip flop so we stopped at Target on the way to buy a new pair. I made a joke about those being the only things she’ll need to worry about wearing, to ease the tension. I think it helped, at least a little.

After passing right by the main entrance initially (there is only a small sign out front) and having to turn around, we stopped at the gate and introduced ourselves to the desk attendant. I had called ahead earlier that day to let them know we were coming, just in case. They opened the gate for us, and driving in and seeing nude people for the first time, besides S, I had never seen a naked woman in person before this. It was bizarre at first – you don’t normally see dozens of nude people acting like they normally do with clothes on - but soon I didn’t even notice. We both love to people-watch in malls and other public places, and though everyone was nude, the initial shock soon wears off as you realize that everyone looks normal. I found that I was able look complete strangers in the eye with a smile – there was an instant connection. I “saw” their bodies but didn’t look or stare. It was interesting to see all the shapes and sizes but my fear about being tempted to lust turned out to be unfounded.

After checking in and getting a short history of the club and having the major landmarks pointed out to us, I asked where we could go to be nude but not be disturbed. They said the other side of the pond is where most new folks tend to start out, and the members and regulars know not to disturb people when they are sitting there. Back at my car, I stripped off immediately, even though I was nervous about it; it was just such a strange, new (but exciting and wonderful) feeling taking my clothes off out in the open, feeling the breeze and the sun in places I had never felt before! S stripped off everything and then nervously asked me for my t-shirt - she just wasn't ready to go fully nude yet. She wore my shirt and tied her towel around her waist. We had prepared a lunch so we ate it on the side of the pond. We prayed for our meal and gave thanks for the wonderful weather, the sun, the breeze, and the time we were able to spend together (at that time we were living an hour apart and visited only on the weekends). We continued to make small talk and enjoyed watching the ducks in the pond and the cool breeze relieving the hot sun on our bodies. Halfway through eating she took off the shirt and lay on her stomach, on the towel she had previously wrapped around her waist. Now we were both nude together, outdoors in the sun, enjoying a meal on a beautiful summer afternoon. It was a great memory, one I’ll never forget.

After eating, we took a short walk around the pool area. It was a warm day and the walk had broken a sweat so I asked if she was ready to check out the pool. She nodded and wrapped herself again, and together we walked to the pool area. I set my towel down at a chair, and after a quick breath she did the same. We walked into the pool...and after that neither of us covered up again until it was time to leave. It was like that first plunge into the water was symbolic of our plunge into the world of social nudity. We really enjoyed ourselves – it felt great to let the warm sun and cool breeze evaporate the water from our bodies: an incredible feeling unlike anything I had yet experienced. Chatting with the couple next to us, we learned that they lived near the campground and had raised their children – now 22 and 18 – at the resort. They even mentioned how they were having their daughter’s graduation party at the resort – nude! We thought that was very brave of them – they were truly unashamed to be known as nudists.

It was getting late so we decided it was time to leave. We reluctantly said goodbye to our new friends – they left us with a hug and an open invitation to share a meal at their trailer next time we came - and took our time getting dressed again. It actually felt strange to have clothes on after being nude all day. On our way out S was already talking about coming back! Obviously, she had overcome her initial worries about modesty and being nude with others during the day.

We did end up going back several times that summer – the highlight being on the Fourth of July. The place was packed and there was a nice potluck dinner. We met a married couple from my town and their little daughter. They said we reminded them of themselves 10 years earlier, and we saw in them the kind of family we want to be like. Although we never saw or heard from them again (I regret not getting their email address), we really enjoyed the few hours of conversation we shared with them.

Since then we have been to two other nudist resorts in our state, most recently on Labor Day 2007. Each time we visit a nude resort it becomes more and more natural. We feel right at home much sooner and don’t experience any anxiety when it comes time to strip off – in fact we feel excited to be able to do it, and relief when we are finally nude and natural as God intended. We have an older nudist friend in our area that is both a mentor and a grandfather figure for me, and the three of us have traveled extensively over the past two years.

S and I were engaged in February of this year (2007), and after our wedding in May 2008 we’re hoping to make it back to the most recent resort a few times during the summer months, since it is only 30 minutes from where we are going to live. We're also planning on doing some wilderness hiking up north, which will hopefully allow us to get in some free hiking on those isolated trails, and maybe even skinny dip in the streams and waterfalls. We love camping and the outdoors, and can only imagine how great it would be to enjoy hiking and swimming in the nude in nature.

When we start a family we plan on raising them to be comfortable in their own skin (literally!) and have a casual attitude towards nudity in the home. We won’t make them go to nude resorts with us if they don’t want to, but we hope they’ll love it and never want to stop coming back! Even if in adolescence they no longer want to go nude around us or to the campground, we at least want them to have a healthy view of the human body and foster an open-minded attitude. We feel nudism brings families together in a unique and beneficial way and look forward to enjoying the lifestyle together as a family.

That’s our “nude” story so far. Only the opening chapters are written: we hope to make for ourselves a loving, open family that has tons of fun together and laughs a lot. Ultimately, that’s what the nude lifestyle is all about – having fun!

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