I was raised in a traditional household by a stay-at-home mom and a dad who expected his dinner on the table when he got home from work. There are, of course, many often-discussed pluses and minuses to "love, honor, and obey," and a boatload of passionate opinion to go with them, but much like Christina in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the thing I was most certain of growing up was what I didn't want. I didn't want a traditional relationship like my parents'.

I found some great sex & relationships posts in the BlogHer rolls this month about being strong and learning to stand up for your needs and want you want. From being selective, to being safe while online dating, and all the way to a Krispy Kreme wedding cake, BlogHers are figuring it out and getting it done. And passing along their experiences for all of us to learn from as well.

Did you know that men date women better looking than them, but never a woman who is less attractive than them? Did you know that this is the natural order of the universe? No? Neither did I. I guess I missed the memo.

I don't have an orgasm every time I have sex. This simple fact has been part of who I am for as long as I can remember - or at least since I was 16. I don't approach sex as simply a vehicle to ride to orgasm. For me, it's so much more and it's enjoyable whether I climax or not. This works wonderfully within a long-term monogamous relationship where sex occurs frequently. Casual sex is an entirely different beast, though, isn't it?

I know exactly when I became paranoid about meeting my partner's friends. It was the first time I dated someone with a close-knit group of friends... many of whom didn't like me. I was too straight for him. I was too old for him. And I wasn't one of them. Maybe I could have written that off as a fluke. But then it happened again. Worse.