SYWDMC - So You Wanna Date My Chicks

Chicks: The sweet young women that God has entrusted me to teach, lead, guide, speak truth, and push toward Christ. They were birthed by some of the sweetest people on the planet and God dropped them in my lap a few years ago. There is no greater joy than loving and serving them.

If my name was Kay, LauraLynn, Alyson, Paige, Cyndi, Zulema, SoYoung, Angie, Teresa, Sandra, Joy or Cathy then this would be a letter that could have some points on "What it takes to date my daughter." This, however, was birthed by many a conversation with my Chicks...and the study of the #TrueLoveProject.

So....
You Wanna Date one of My Chicks.
Welcome to the club. It's exclusive. :)

You want to spend time with her. You want to take her out on a date. You want to have sweet chats while hiking the mountains or sipping your favorite Starbucks drinks, or eating frozen yogurt. You may even want to kiss her. Yeah, I said it! Well, that is lovely. No, seriously, it's lovely. But I hope that you are up to the task of what dating one of my chicks really looks like. 
These are some non-negotiables:

• Love Jesus. Above all else, you need to know and love Christ. Loving Christ first means you put your relationship with Him as a priority. God is a jealous God and He will not accept being second (or third,fourth,fifth) in your life. He is first and His calling on your life comes first. Follow Him with all you have. Christ is worthy of your all and nothing less. My chicks deserve a guy who loves Jesus with reckless abandonment, who isn't afraid of doing big and loving bigger. 
• Serving. Along with loving Jesus, you need to be involved in a local church, serving in a role or leading a small group, or praying about your next step in serving. All of my girls have huge servant's hearts and they totally want a guy who loves to serve in all sorts of areas. Some of my girls love helping out in the nursery and preschool areas. They like playing with the kids, watching them grow, and even babysitting. Some of my girls like sports - so when sports camp comes around at the local church, they want to be a part of that. Some like making food for people, others like ministering to homeless people. It runs the gamut, but suffice to say Loving Jesus and serving others is key.
• Love Languages. Huge part in dating and knowing each other. Learn your love language and how that works. Read the book. Take the test. Because if they have been with me for any length of time, they already know their love language and they aren't afraid of telling you what it is.
• Get to know her family. That requires you to spend time with them. The only way they are going to be okay with you leaving the house with their daughter is if they actually know you! :) Come for dinner. Invite her over for dinner with your parents. It doesn't have to be elaborate, the effort goes a long way.
• Call her on the phone. With the age of texting, it has lessened the priority and opportunity for a guy to call a girl and actually speak to her. With most kids getting a cell phone at a young age, it also limits the idea that mom or dad will answer the HOME PHONE and speak to you. So, give her a call. It's okay if you text her first to see if she is available, but puh-lease PLEASE PLEASE pick up the phone and call her. Particularly if you are calling for a date, which should be a few days in advance (see any Southern Etiquette book). While we are on the phone situation: NO long conversations over text. NO important conversations over text. You owe her the courtesy and respect to at least give her a face to face for anything big/out of the ordinary/over the top/special/disheartening. If you have to ask whether or not you should text or call, the answer is you should call. <cough cough> That's for YOU. and YOU know who YOU are. 
• Leadership. All of my girls have dads who are doing their best to rock out this raising-a-daughter thing. Some of them are business men, teachers, coaches, and a handful of them own their own company. These men are leaders in the business sense and leaders in our church and community. They are also spiritual leaders in their home. My chicks are looking for a guy with those qualities.
• Study Up. Chicks don't like stalkers. However, they do like a guy who has done his homework. Example: "I heard you mention that your favorite flower is daisies, so I picked these up for you." Insert you bringing flowers. DUH. No brainer. It's even better if you bring them for her mom...right moms?? Remind me to mention that in the post about Raising my Two Boys. Disclaimer: I have a chick who does not like sentimental things...things that I think are sweet and totally cuteness, she does not. She doesn't even gush over it. I sometimes don't even know how her and I are so close, but anyway she would not enjoy flowers all the time like I or someone else would, so like I said, STUDY UP! And in regards to gifts, see Love Languages.
• Other details: Some of these are specific to them individually, but I'll list them as a general - they like a guy who works hard, who has ambition to do good in life, has healthy priorities, good friends, athletic, funny, smart. The list could go on for days if I allowed that.

If you think you have some qualities that my chicks would like, the application will be posted tomorrow.

NO NO NO...just kidding. :) I would never do that to them. 

My chicks are sweet. They are funny and lively, and there is never a dull moment...we wouldn't allow it. They are equally learning and studying their calling as a follower of Jesus - learning to love and serve Him in all He is calling them to. They love deeply. They laugh hysterically. They pray with passion. They hurt when their friends and loved ones hurt. They want more...more than this life is ever going to bring them. They have hope and they trust in the One who formed them and gave life to them and gave His life for them. 
If you are lucky enough to date them - now or in the future - know you have been prayed for. 
If you are blessed enough to marry one of them - years down the road - I have prayed for this moment...and Boy - you are you going to need it.

Love,
Ms. Karen