vii Sex—It’s More than Bodies, Risks, and Protection Love Notes contains an important missing piece in sexual decision-making and STI/ pregnancy prevention by addressing relationship issues. After all, sex is a relationship issue. For example, can young people make wise sexual choices if they: • Have never clarified what’s important to them? • Know little about how to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy and/or abusive relationships? • Lack communication and negotiation skills? • Have never defined a context and timing for sex that is optimal for achieving their goals and is personally meaningful? Youth are rarely asked to think about sex beyond the usual health paradigm of bio- reproduction, disease, and risk avoidance. If young people have never considered what deepening levels of physical intimacy mean to them and the optimal context to achieve that meaning, then how are they to make wise sexual decisions and stick to their choices? Sex is not just about bodies, risks, and protection. It’s about knowing one’s self and one’s values and possessing the skills to navigate this terrain. It is ultimately about the heart and aspirations. Love Notes adds a needed heart-based approach to sexuality and provides unique ways to tap motivation. Sexual decision-making is embedded within a rich exploration of intimacy and the development of healthy relationships. The decision-making frameworks in Love Notes help youth clarify sexual values and set boundaries and clear intentions about sex and relationships. They outline a plan to stay true to those intentions and practice, through role-plays, how to do so. They deepen their awareness of how and why alcohol and drugs increase risky behaviors and include that in their sexual risk avoidance plans. This adaptation of Love Notes does not normalize teen sexual activity but encourages sexual delay and risk avoidance through stories, film, music, and the voices of young adults. Activities guide youth in cultivating a positive North Star for their love lives rather than merely follow the scripts of the popular and media culture. They learn the benefits of sexual delay and risk avoidance and self- regulation in achieving their personal and life goals. Copyright 2018 Marline E. Pearson