Brio was a Focus on the Family-branded Christian magazine for teen girls my mother subscribed us to for a few years in the 90s. She eventually cut off our subscription because my sister and I “weren’t taking it seriously.” It had quizzes like “What kind of babysitter are you?” and useful tips for praying with your friends, an advice column by Susie Shellenberger I always suspected of being sponsored by Coke, because she’d start almost every answer (“My boyfriend wants to make out. How do I avoid this?”/“My best friend bought a Fiona Apple CD and now I’m worried she’s going to start cursing. How can I witness to her?”) with “Oh, kiddo. I wish I could take you out for a Coke and talk to you from the heart.” Like her answers were almost always Coca-Cola themed, suspiciously often, and at 11 in 1997 I’m not sure I knew what a lesbian was yet but I’d keep puzzling over her photo and think,
ahhh I vaguely remember a Goofus and Gallant-like piece, where the good smart girl wore a modest loose crew-neck shirt, and the obvious sinner girl wore a shirt that was low-cut and a little bit see-through. GUESS WHO GOT TO MARRY A YOUTH PASTOR
WHELP, on today's episode of Unexpected Reminders Of My Anxious Repressed Youth That Have Me Staring Off Into The Middle Distance: "gel pens for devotional journals" yikes yep... yep.
As a former Christian-bookstore marketing flack, I can say with (dated) authority: yes. You would have made a RIGHTEOUS FORTUNE with this and thoroughly unseated Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen with all his teeth from the related book charts. Huzzah!
"My boyfriend wants to make out, how do I prevent this?" The answer's right there on the cover: start YODELING
ahhh I vaguely remember a Goofus and Gallant-like piece, where the good smart girl wore a modest loose crew-neck shirt, and the obvious sinner girl wore a shirt that was low-cut and a little bit see-through. GUESS WHO GOT TO MARRY A YOUTH PASTOR
WHELP, on today's episode of Unexpected Reminders Of My Anxious Repressed Youth That Have Me Staring Off Into The Middle Distance: "gel pens for devotional journals" yikes yep... yep.
As a former Christian-bookstore marketing flack, I can say with (dated) authority: yes. You would have made a RIGHTEOUS FORTUNE with this and thoroughly unseated Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen with all his teeth from the related book charts. Huzzah!