Judged by the Plan B

To the man behind the pharmacy counter that stared at me with disappointment: 

I understand, you see people everyday come in and buy items; nail polish, gum, Advil, and OH NO, don’t do it…Plan B emergency contraceptive. Yes, I did buy a Plan B emergency contraceptive but before you stare at me with you judgmental eyes, maybe you should hear why.

I am a mother of two, I am on birth control, and we do use condoms but on this night as we consummated our love and desire for one another the condom happened to break. And yes, I said I was on birth control but instead of taking the risk I went to back-up my already in place plan. We have two children and are not ready for a third. We want a third but are not ready for him or her. It is a decision made by both my significant and I. It is the reason we use birth control and a condom. Yes, this means I did pay attention in my sex education class. I do know, not one method is a 100%; therefore we use two and when one fails, we back it up with a third. So, instead of looking at me in disgrace as some young, creative, free love 20-something that screwed up last night; know that I am a successful adult with a hefty career, two kids, and a household to run. I may look young but I am not to be judged.

And next time you see a young, creative, 20-something walk into your store to by the dreaded Plan B; please don’t set us back 30 years by judging. Instead take note. Note that this woman is smart and knows she is not ready. Note that this woman is responsible to take care of herself. Note that this woman is comfortable in her body to come to a store, purchase contraceptive, and then write an open letter about. Because I don’t want any woman to feel the way you wanted me to feel.