Iowa mom Shari Lynn Hertel has always told her son, Levi, that he could come to her with anything. But on a Sunday afternoon as they drove home from church - a setting whose irony wasn’t lost on her - 15-year-old Levi asked a question so unexpected, Hertel felt her heart briefly stop. “What does ’69’ mean?” he wanted to know.
How does one explain how the symmetry of the numbers 69 might apply to sex to ... a teenager? It’s a moment Hertel, a health and wellness coach, recounted on Threads.
“I took a deep breath and described it and almost died,” she wrote, recalling the split second in which she scrambled to answer while maintaining her composure. Then came the twist that left readers howling. “Then he goes thanks mom. I already knew what it meant but I just wanted you to feel awkward.”
When the moment went down, Hertel says her 6-year-old was in the back seat, mercifully asleep, shielding her from an even more complicated conversation.
“I’m thinking, ‘How am I going to describe this technically, without going into too much detail,’” Hertel tells TODAY.com, laughing at the memory. “I’m in doctor mode, explaining the whole thing, only for him to look at me all serious and go, 'Mom, I know.”
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Hertel's post quickly drew an avalanche of reactions from parents who felt equal parts sympathy and secondhand panic.
“I remember my daughter asking me this question. In the same interest of honesty, I told her. She pondered it for a moment, then said, 'You shouldn’t have told me that,'” one person wrote.
Added another, “That’s less awkward than when 12 year old me asked my parents what sodomy was, while we were out to eat with my grandparents.”
The exchange highlighted something Hertel has worked hard to build with Levi: a relationship defined by openness.
Over the years, she says she has spoken with him about everything from sex to drugs, drawing on her own history to make the conversations straightforward, rather than intimidating.
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“I’ve always been very honest with him,” she says. “We can talk about everything.”
Rachel Paula Abrahamson is an entertainment journalist-turned-lifestyle reporter living in Boston. She covers parenting, pop culture, and news for TODAY.com - and fancies herself an expert on all things twin-related! In 2024, Rachel received an NBC Gem Award (Going the Extra Mile) for her contributions to NBC. Rachel lives in the Boston area with her husband, their two daughters, and labrodaughter Asti.
Empress has an amazing consultation where she focuses on some primary asteroids and than we spoke she looked up other ones that were revenant. IT was spooky accurate! There are aproximately a billion asteroids so getting an actual reading from an asteroid astrologer makes so much sense! What an absolute thrill of a ride of a reading.
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“It was really great working with you going through my chart together! Thank you so much for your reading, I really appreciate it. You helped me gain some more insight and perspective on my chart and I really enjoyed learning from you about my asteroids!
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“The Deluxe Natal Chart reading with Empress Atlantis is phenomenal. You will not believe the amount of creative insight she has waiting for you, and the curated torrent of information offered afterwards. A balance weighs and measures; and so do Libra natives. Where is Libra in your chart? This is the area in life where you strive for balance and equilibrium. If this part of your life seems unbalanced, you seek to change that.
The glyph, or symbol, of Libra represents the setting sun. It also resembles an “equal” sign, though it more accurately reflects an “approximately equal to” symbol. Libra seeks balance, harmony, and equality. Libra is artistic and has a keen sense of balance and eye for beauty. This glyph or symbol can, on the one hand, represent the setting sun. Libra's element is AIR. Libra measures and weighs matters carefully. The scales are a symbol of justice. Libra seeks equality, balance, and harmony. The scales symbol is apt for this fair-minded sign that is especially focused on evening the score and balancing give-and-take. Libra's mode is Cardinal. Cardinal signs want action!
The Venus glyph reveals spirit (circle) over matter (cross). Copper is the metal of Venus. Libra natives are generally thought to be sociable, somewhat intellectual souls. They have an almost innocent way about them that makes them very approachable. In theory, Libras are peace-loving. In practice, they can quietly stir up all sorts of trouble with their ways. Because Libra enjoys balance in their lives, they seek the middle ground. In the process, they may end up trying to be everything to everyone. This is where their reputation for untruthfulness comes from. Generally, their untruths spring from a true desire for peace and fairness-although they may not be comfortable with direct and malicious trickery, they feel totally justified when they lie in order to avoid making waves. Peace at any price!
In this sense, they seem harmless. People involved with Libras may crib about their lack of directness and their apparent inability to take a stand. Librans are experts at avoiding being the one to blame. When confronted, they’ll (calmly and reasonably) say, “What, me?
Some more powerful signs may consider Libra a little on the weak side. This is all a matter of opinion, however! Librans are known for comparing and thinking in relative terms, instead of in absolutes. This weekend is not just a good weekend, it’s better than last weekend. These people are always looking for the “best” way or the “right” way to live. Harmony is the ultimate goal, but their idealism and high expectations can mean plenty of discontent. Society needs rules, and these rules attempt to bring justice, equality, and fairness. On an individual level, Libra represents these laws of civilization.
Some Famous people with Sun in Libra: e.e. Cummings (Sun and Venus in Libra), Matt Damon (Sun and Mercury in Libra), Zac Efron (Sun and Mars in Libra), Eminem (Sun, Venus, and Mars in Libra), Sarah Ferguson (Sun and Mars in Libra), F.
Moon in Libra people have a strong need for partnership. Without someone to share their lives with, they feel utterly incomplete. Because this drive for harmony, peace, and sharing is so powerful, Lunar Librans are apt to do a lot of conceding. They are sympathetic and concerned for others, enjoy socializing, and revel in a good debate. Lunar Librans feel safe and secure when they are in a partnership. These are the people who seem to always need to have someone tag along with them wherever they go - even if it is to the corner store. Both men and women with this position are often quite charming. They can be very attractive to be around and are often given to flirtatiousness.
Moon in Libra natives simply can’t help but see flaws in their environment and their relationships. In fact, anything out of whack will bother them until it’s fixed. Although diplomatic with acquaintances, when Moon in Libra natives argue with their long-standing partners, they rarely let up until they win. And, winning an argument is a Libran specialty-in fact, they may not even believe what they are saying but will adopt all kinds of ideas just to get the last word. Living with Lunar Librans can sometimes feel like you are on trial, and Libra is the expert lawyer. Lunar Librans’ idealistic outlook and constant striving for the best, most harmonious lifestyle can lead to much discontent.
Some Famous people with Moon in Libra: Alec Baldwin, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Bush Jr., Nicolas Cage, Geena Davis, Leonardo Di Caprio (Moon, Mercury, and Ascendant in Libra), Emily Dickinson (poet), Walt Disney, Angela Lansbury (Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Mars in Libra), D.H.
Libra communicators come across as very pleasing. Diplomacy comes naturally to these natives. At the very least, they take many pains to be diplomatic. Mercury in Libra people long for equality in the intellectual world. They view mental affinity as one of the most important themes in any relationship they have. If they are not getting it (and many do not), they should look within themselves for answers. Perhaps they are trying too hard to score intellectual points with their partners instead of truly listening to what they are saying.
Mercury in Libra attempts always to be fair in any discussion, but to more personal communicators, Libra’s constant comparisons can, in effect, seem unfair! If you think Virgo is critical and a perfectionist, spend some time with a Mercury in Libra person (and many of them have Virgo Suns too). They can’t quite help themselves. But because they always aim to be kind and fair, they employ tact to get their message across. Mercury in Libra comes across in an unassuming manner and handles people with care. When they find fault with others, they express it gently, consciously tending to others’ comfort levels.