I didn't lose my virginity until I was in my mid 20s. The main reason was because I knew it was something that was likely to be painful, or uncomfortable at best, and I wanted to be with someone I could really trust and genuinely cared for me. Now the actual act, whilst it hurt like a bitch, was very nice, my partner at the time told me he loved me, it was all very romantic etc. So yeah, I had the best experience I could have had really so in that sense I don't regret waiting. In another sense, I wish I'd done it earlier. I used to only think that I could have sex with someone I loved but I didn't love the guy I lost my virginity to (I cared about him a lot and I was at the beginning of the falling in love stage but I wouldn't say I loved him at the time. I did very soon after though). After having sex a few times I changed my mind and thought actually I could easily do this with someone I don't love, or even care about.
I think older virgins can sometimes get very caught up in it having to be the "right" person and the "right" time. But how will you know it's "right?" The guy I slept with, I was convinced was the right person, would never hurt me etc. yet he turned out to be a really nasty arsehole several months down the line. I don't regret losing my virginity to him because with the knowledge I had at the time I trusted him and as I said, it was a lovely experience. But I just wanted to point out, as these kind of posts often attract lots of happily ever after we got married stories, that unfortunately it doesn't always turn out that way. I don't mean to be negative but I think sometimes we can over think these things and get too caught up in a fairytale that won't happen. I actually made a snap decision one night that I didn't want to be a virgin any more - I'd had ENOUGH so we had sex. People will tell you it shouldn't matter, and of course it shouldn't, but honestly to me being a virgin felt like a burden and I wanted it done, I trusted the guy I was with to be gentle so why not? And he loved me, or so he claims, which was the icing on the cake. And as nice and romantic an experience it was, I did end up thinking afterwards, is that it? Why the hell did I wait so long, it's really not a big deal. Easy for me to think that though when I was with a loving boyfriend and I hadn't been in that kind of relationship before.
Anyway, my point is don't put yourself under pressure but equally don't think everything has to be perfect. If you trust the person and you have feelings for them, then that is a much better start to sex than a lot of people. I do wish I'd lost my virginity when I was younger but life doesn't always work out how we'd like. Don't beat yourself up too much, 25 is by no means ancient to be a virgin. Please do tell whoever you end up with that you're a virgin though, it will make it a much better experience for you. SolidGoldBrass is right though, my ex's reaction to me telling him I was a virgin was that it made him want me more. How peculiar I thought, especially as he was fairly experienced. He said it meant he knew I wasn't a slut unlike his ex who'd slept with 50 men. Well there was a massive red flag! Never mind. He did also say it made him feel special that I'd chosen him when I could have had sex with other men which I suppose is quite sweet. It's a shame he turned out to be such a creep because it did ruin my lovely virginity memories but honestly I don't think about that night much so it's just one of those things. I'm far more traumatised about the aftermath of that relationship than losing my virginity to him, if that makes sense. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, make sure you're in a situation that you're comfortable with but if it doesn't turn out to be the experience you'd hoped then it's not the end of the world. :)