It’s the same for me. Our views on this subject are heavily shaped by our cultural and religious beliefs. I too believe in reserving sex for marriage. I was married for 20 years and it’s only at the age of 45 can I truly say that I understood the meaning of being intimate in its true sense. I too need an emotional connection and commitment but I don’t believe that the commitment has to be within the institution of marriage. Because that institution has its own shortcomings.