Let's face it, ladies: We have all sat down with our friends and talked about the things guys can say or do to win our hearts. From storming the castle and slaying the dragon to playing your favorite song on a stereo outside your bedroom window. Okay, so maybe those examples are too cliche, but you know what I mean. Maybe your perfect guy plays the guitar and has a voice like John Mayer. Maybe he's the tall, dark and handsome type. Maybe he's a complete poindexter. It doesn't matter. Every girl has certain expectations, standards, and ideas of the kind of guy they want.

For me, it's very simple: Be a gentleman. I don't want flowers, or candy, or jewelry. I don't want to be showered with compliments or expensive dinners. I just want honesty. Someone I can respect, who respects me. And when I say respect, I mean the kind of guy who would never use the words hot, smokin', fine, or sexy to describe me. I absolutely cannot stand that. If you ever want to piss me off, all you have to do is use them, and mean it. I joke with my friends when we wear stupid outfits or look absolutely disgusting that we look "hot" or "sexy", but it's always done in jest. I respect them far too much to actually mean it. No, my friends are beautiful, gorgeous, handsome, lovely...

Considering my attitude towards marriage and families for the past twenty years, it's no wonder why I have a hard time letting a guy be a gentleman sometimes. There are not that many left in the world, and it's our fault, ladies. We have this idea that "Grr, I'm woman. I don't need a man." Well, maybe you don't, but you should still be a lady! This is why men aren't stepping up and being gentlemen. Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong, but while you were busy thumbing your nose at my statement, a man was nodding in agreeance.

Other than my father, male relatives, and the far-too-scarce random stranger, no one has ever held the door for me. I dated a guy who never, not once, held it for me. Even when my dad was watching. The first time a guy held the door open for me, I honestly didn't know what was happening. He was just a friend, and yet it was almost second nature to him. He gave me a look and extended his arm as if to hurry me along. I apologized and thanked him. It was a glimmer of hope for me. I started noticing other things they did that came so naturally, I almost didn't realize what he was doing. It wasn't a lame attempt to impress or woo someone. It was just the way they were. I would love to thank all of the moms and dads out there who are raising their sons to be gentlemen. The ladies are noticing. :)

My parents made sure we knew how to act like a lady. For as long as I can remember, my dad insisted on "daddy dates", where he went over the proper ways to treat a man and how a man should treat us. I took very careful notes on every single one of those date, whether we went to the mall, McDonald's or just to get a coffee. My daddy may not have all the answers, but for raising three daughters, he knows what he's talking about. I've been told I'm too picky. I've had people ask me, "How can you expect to find someone if you don't put yourself out there?" I just smile and say (depending the person, I usually just think it to myself), "Ladies are to be pursued." I know what they're thinking. God, she thinks she's too good for anybody. Nope, I just know that I will not settle for anything less than what I deserve. I haven't always believed this. I've known it my whole life, I just didn't believe it. Now that I do, I'm noticing that my expectations aren't "high" like people think they are. They're exactly what I need.

So, dear future Mr. Caitlin, I'm doing my very best to be a lady. The kind of lady you will need. Don't think this was about what you need to do, because I take responsibility for my actions, too. I may require some patience, though. Sometimes, I forget.