This is a letter I wrote a boy on Feb. 4, 1975. He had asked me to "go steady" with him:
Dear Mark,
I have called you my friend. But I have not before now admitted that I consider you closer than that. I have no word for it. But others have given their own name to it, boyfriend.
In answer to your question, I say no. Not because I do not like you, but for other reasons. To be honest, I am afraid. Afraid of what? Being bound. I must be free, not bound to one person. I doubt that I shall ever marry, because of that. In this society, going together, engaged and married all mean belonging to one person. It is just not my way, it's not me. I must be free to love those I choose. That is the main reason I broke up with Brad. (Although there are other reasons.) I do not wish to go without anyone, but if I should brake it up, it would only hurt them. I like you too much.
Love, Dawn