the beauty of love as it's made to be.

Tonight I watched "Pride & Prejudice" for the 3487120938th time.
I watched with new eyes, though.
I'm really not sure what made me look at it differently, but I'm glad I did.

We live in a time of easy accessibility. Everything is one text, call, tag, push-of-a-button away.
I used to think of this as a blessing- and in a way, it is. But in others..
It's a curse. Really.

In the movie, Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth almost immediately after meeting her.
(Of course, his pride gets in the way, as does hers, but that is beside the fact)
He only gets to speak to her whenever he happens to run into her.

There is no calling her, only calling on her.
There is no texting her, only writing a letter to her.
There is no FACEBOOKING her.
What he sees, hears, and feels when he encounters her is all he gets,
and of course, his thoughts afterward.

And that's the magic- his thoughts.
After he sees her, she's all he thinks about.
He gets to analyze everything about her that he loves and enjoys.
He doesn't have to creep her every move and conversation on some
idiotic social network. He has to trust her.

He falls in love with the intelligent, real, yet mysterious woman that she is.
He doesn't have to see the fake air she puts on for her 1500 Facebook friends.
He doesn't get the opportunity to just shoot her a text to "chill" later.
He dotes upon her, does things right.. Talks to her father, asks for permission.

He treats her like a LADY. He respects her.
He would never make her feel like "one of the guys."
He goes to all ends of the earth to save her family,
right all wrongs, show her with his actions that he loves her.

His language isn't flimsy; he thinks before he speaks.
He is brutally honest with her; "I'm betwitched, body, mind, and soul."

I wish I lived in the time of Jane Austen.
No cell phones, no internet.
Just people. And REAL love.

I believe that this love still exists. It's harder to find-
you have to dig through all the shallowness and flimsy chit chat.
But it's real, and it's out there. And no, this isn't me being a hopeless romantic.
It's real.
It's the kind of love that God intended.

Ladies- set some standards. Don't ever give on them. Remember that men are human, and make your standards reasonable, but keep them high. Men should have to work for your affection; show you they truly care. They should pick you up, open the door for you, pull out your chair, walk you to the door (not just wait until your in to drive off), talk to your mother, ASK PERMISSION from your father. They should take you to a real restaurant (that serves some type of bread before the meal), and pay. They should never, everrr, take you to their house on a first date. This sends one type of message, and it isn't the right one.

Guys- Do all of the above, and mean it. Don't just do it until you "know" (or think you know) you've got her.. Keep it up. She'll love you forever, and she'll return the favors. You guys need to set your standards higher too! Don't accept trashy women. And yes, I said trashy- side note to the girls, if you dress slutty, you're just giving the guy the go-ahead to do with you as he pleases, and that is not okay.. it's especially not okay if you get upset about it. If it's not for sale, don't advertise it. Be Godly women, appropriately dressed. Don't invite that boy's hands, eyes, and mind into places they shouldn't be.- Boys, be Men of God. Don't use vulgar language around women, don't do disgusting things in front of them (for example, FARTING- not even around your "best girl friends." Absolutely NOT acceptable). Be respectable and respectful. You're setting the example here. You're the leader, so lead in the right direction!

I feel like I'm preaching. Must just be something I'm passionate about lately.
I'm a single girl, and after my last relationship, I promised my friends that I would
never again lower my standards. I refuse to accept anything than what I deserve,
and I refuse to BE anything less than what a respectable young man of God deserves and desires.