On Chivalry, Refinement, and Feminine Mystique

     As of late, I have been much occupied with reading books and watching movies set in simpler, more noble times than we now reside in. Pride and Prejudice, and Emma, Jane Austen novels [and movies based thereupon] set in the genteel 1800's, and other nameless books set in early America, when gentlemanly and modest ladylike behavior was still socially expected. These eloquent tales have sparked such a bittersweetness in my heart and spirit. I long for a resurrection of the days when refinement, manners, and chivalry were all revered and expected; ladies who act like true ladies, and gentlemen who act with honor and respect.
     It truly makes my heart ache to know such honorable times have passed, especially when I think upon my getting married someday. Though there is a decent number of relatively honorable young Christian men, our society as a whole has lost all decency and sense of honor. Even a young man who professes to be a Christian, even one whom society regards as having a strong character, still has to live in our twisted society, and therefore bears the affects of it. Our society has become so increasingly casual, nothing is sacred anymore. Modesty is all but extinct, sex is treated as a pastime in contrast to the marital gift God intended it to be, and blatant crassness has replaced polished manners and reserve.
     How I long to be fought for as was done in the old days. To be courted, wooed, to have a man prove himself worthy of my regards and affection. To have him make every effort to endear himself to me, writing thoughtful letters, real, actual letters, full of his thoughts and desires, his affection for me. But yet for him to have a heart for God as my own, his faith consistently growing and deepening.
     But for me to expect, or even hope such of a man someday, I must be yet harsher upon myself. I am determined to cultivate myself, in all my tasks do my best, and to develop all my God-given talents. From now forward, I am set upon polishing my manner. I want to become a true lady in a society where it is unheard of. I want to conduct myself in a respectful, gracious, and compassionate manner, despite whose company I might be in. I want to recapture the feminine mystique that has been lost to the women of my generation.
     I know my hopes and dreams of such a love story, the chances of finding such a man whom will treat me as I have dreamed, are slim to none; near impossible. Yet nothing will dissuade my heart from hoping. Perhaps I will end an old maid, but I suppose I will be content with this, should God take away my deeply-rooted desire to be married and have a family someday. I only wish I could have my heart at rest now with being single. I know that my relationship with God should be more than enough, yet still I long...
     I don't know what God has in store for my life, but I am determined to employ myself better than I have in the past, and to hold myself to a much higher standard.