The Art of Letter Writing ~ Courting Customs in America

Imagine a young couple, very much in love and living miles apart from each other. In the era before the invention of the telephone, the only means of communication was letter writing.

Letter writing was considered a form of courtship. It was a manner in which a suitor would try to secure the respect and consideration of the person whom he corresponded with.

The rules for letter writing included proper regard for composition and naturalness of expression.

LETTER WRITING RULES:

1. Write letters often

2 Wait for a response before dashing off another correspondence

3. Keep the particulars to a minimum

4. If you are 'familiar' with the corespondent, openly but properly express the feelings

5. Pay attention to whom the recollection of the heart be garnered


** While there were certain exceptions, correspondence was to be conducted only with the consent and approval of the parents **

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As a rule, the love was to be very guardedly written. Ladies, especially, were advised to be very careful to maintain their dignity when writing them.

No man, who was declared to be a gentlemen, would ever boast of his love conquests, among companions or reveal to others the correspondence between himself and a lady

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When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate

Just Me Rambling

Do you ever get the feeling that you want to do something major? Do you ever feel like that you want to spread your “wings” and fly? Do you get the feeling that God wants you to do something but yet, you don't have the means in which to do it?

To me, I’m feeling that the answer to all these questions is “YES!”

I’ve been feeling like I need to move out of my parents house. I am now going to town 3 times a week. Twice for school and once for church. I don't know where any of my readers live but, I live in the boondocks!!! I mean, they have to “pump” the sunshine out to my house ;) Its very dangerous for any girl who is a single, 24 (fixing to be 25) year old, girl going over the creek and through the woods to her parents house, especially if you live as far out as I do!!.

I have one of 2 options: I could stay where I am and “try” to be content or I can ask my grandmother if I may stay with her 3 nights out of the week!!

Another thing …..

Thanks for reading my blog! I feel like it gives me an outlet. Also, please comment if you feel inclined to do so …

Reflection

January: of this year (2010) I had the privilege of flying with my friends Kim and her sister Kris to Erie Pennsylvania to see a friend of ours: Kayla Hughes. Read about our trip here: Erie Trip and here: Erie Trip Part 2. It was a lot of fun.

February: Two weeks after I got back from Erie, it snowed in Alabama!!! That is a rare occurrence for us!!!!! Then about a week later my brother had a appointment with a doctor b/c he found a lump on his chest. Mom wanted to be out there with him for the results. Mom and I drove to Texas. Read about it here: Texas Adventure ~ Day 1 and 2. For those of you who do not want to click on the link: My brother has been diagnosed with CML = Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Its the good type of cancer to have!!

March: Nothing exciting really happened .... Except my brothers WBC = white blood cell count went down considerably. You can read about it if you click here.

April: I got my first ever job (besides working for Daddy during harvest) working at a vet office as a receptionists. I sometimes got to hold the animals and occasionally watch them do a surgery I loved watching them do that!!!!!

May: Read here

June: Read here

July: Click here to read

August: I was reading a book on courtship in America. Its a very interesting read. Click here to read the introduction to the book

September: My brother brought home his fiance (now wife) to meet us!!! When I first saw Amy I loved her!!!!! I really loved her!!!!! I was so happy that she was going to Marry my brother!!!!!

October: I jack-knifed a peanut trailer!!!!! We had a wedding to attend!!!!! It was so beautiful!!!!! I'm so happy that I went!!!!!

November: We had a family Thanksgiving!!!!! It was a blast!!!!!

December: We had a great month until Mom and I got sick on Christmas Eve!!! We have been sick ever since!! It is true that there have been times when we felt great but then, we had a relapse So, I guess we will be sick on New Years Day!!! Isnt that a bad omen or something???

Anyway, I hope that you had a good time recapping (proper word usage) and reading about our year of trials and triumphs!!!!! Have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!

P.S. Here's hoping that Auburn Wins the BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!!

A Part Of Me Has Died Today

Well, I can officially say that I am unemployed. After 9 months, I received a call from my boss who own Southern Regional Veterinary Services (SRVES) who told me that he ws terminating my position. He went on to say that he was going to hire someone else who could do the job I was doing and also be a vet tech. So, I have no job. Thankfully I do provisions to get me by. I just hope and pray that I can find a job soon!! I know that God is looking out for me and I know that HE will keep on providing for me.

I cant say anything bad about my boss(es)!! He and his wife are such a wonderful and Godly couple!!!!! If it hand t of been for them, I wouldn't have even gotten this job!! I love them so much!!!!!

For I know that plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you and plans to give you a hope and a future ~ Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose ~ Romans 8:28

P.S. I just wish that it didn't happen a week before Christmas!!!!

Thanksgiving Adventures

Well, I had 3 pages (according to Microsoft word) of what I was going to put in my blog. Y'all have been spared the torture of reading that much. A couple of people (who shall remain nameless) told me that I put to much detail in my blog. Is this true???

We had 2 blow outs going up there so, what normally would take one day of travel took 2 days.

We passed President Jimmy Carter's house. A black gate was around it and Daddy said that he saw a black car (secret service?) but, I didnt see it. I was too busy looking at the house!!!!!

That's about it!! We had fun seeing family that we had not seen in ages (on my brother in laws side). I got to see my brother and sister in law and her sister.

On Sunday, we did go to a church that my sister and brother in law suggested that we go to. It was great. They had a band!!!!!

Coming home, we did not have any blow outs. All in all it was a good trip!!!