The education gained in a Natural Family Planning (NFP) class is certainly empowering, but it’s also a bit of an eye-opener for most guys. While it’s cool to be enlightened with knowledge that even your fiancée’s ob-gyn may not fully grasp, you may wonder at times if anyone should really know this much about a woman’s body.

Despite your love for her, there’s a good chance you’ll feel the urge to scoot your chair away just a bit at times. Don’t worry: This is a natural reaction the first time you take part in conversations about cervical mucus and tackiness with obscure references to egg whites in a way you’ve never envisioned (and would rather not).

Not for the Faint of Heart

Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there!

This is an intriguing subject matter, so you might have the opportunity to respond to your future mother-in-law’s inquiries about what you two lovebirds learned in “sex class.” It’s at this point you’ll realize there actually is a scenario in which you can feel even more awkward than the first time you saw a very graphical graphic involving a thumb and forefinger.

There’s also a very good chance that many of your buddies will not understand what this NFP thing is all about. While they’ll hopefully respect your reasons for going counter-cultural with your sex life, you’ll inevitably have to field some questions about how this stuff actually works.

You’ll discover just how tough it is to explain your deep understanding of feminine sexuality and reproductive cycles to your guy friends, who will suddenly seem to possess the maturity of middle-school students. As you explain the practice of charting and the need to take basal body temperature measurements, you will in fact need to reiterate several times that these readings are taken with an oral thermometer.

Level of Intimacy

As a Natural Family Planning (NFP) couple, your marriage will be blessed with a level of intimacy and open sexual communication not found in most relationships. This will become evident the first time your wife sends you a text message at work to let you know she had a another dry day or when she greets you at the door with a provocative look in her eyes and whispers, “Hey, baby, I’m in Phase III” in your ear.

And you like it. A lot.

It’s certainly not a typical guy who chooses to attend a CCL class to learn the intricacies of his fiancée’s fertility cycle. No, you’re joining a special fraternity of men who are actually willing to let the word “short periods of abstinence” enter their vocabulary out of respect for wife and God.

The path to becoming an NFP husband is intriguing, bizarre and even a bit scary at times. But take it from me: The rewards are worth every uncomfortable moment. By putting your faith into action in the most sacred and holy area of your relationship, you’re inviting God to bless your marriage in ways you can’t even imagine.

Congratulations!

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The above article, by Dustin Riechmann, is from the January-February 2011 issue of “Family Foundations,” the publication of the Couple to Couple League International. CCL is the leading organization providing Natural Family Planning (NFP) instruction in the United States. Dustin blogs at Engaged Marriage.

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

Classes in Natural Family Planning sponsored by the Couple to Couple League (CCL) are taught in 17 locations in the Chicago metro area, including southeast Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. Each series is taught in three classes. The beginning dates are below. Go to our map page.

>> Fri., Mar. 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Hospital, 100 North River Road, Des Plaines IL. The classes will be taught by Matthew and Anne McClure.

>> Sat., Mar. 5, 2011 at 9 a.m. at St. Stephen Church,
17500 S 84th Avenue, Tinley Park IL. The classes will be taught by Jeffrey and Laura Watzke.

>> Sun., May 1st, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Resurrection Medical Center, 7435 West Talcott Ave., Chicago IL. The classes will be taught by Dave and Mona Cattapan.

To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to the CCL registration (800) 745-8252.

The method taught is the Sympto-Thermal Method, which is also taught via CylePRO software. Sign up for a membership with the Couple to Couple League International at www.ccli.org, and receive “Family Foundations.”