When my husband and I first started homeschooling our daughters we began to see books and various resources in homeschooling catalogs and magazines that spoke about courtship. Not ever having heard about courtship or seen it in action we were very curious. So we started buying books on the subject, listened to speakers at conferences, read about real-life courtships and basically just tried to learn what it was all about.
We would talk to the girls about it and shared books with them and let them read about the real-life stories, too. They were young and, of course, thought the idea was wonderful. As they have grown-up we have continued learning about it and have been encouraged when we would read about real people who courted and some who even saved their first kiss for their wedding, keeping themselves pure for their future spouse. Even though the girls are 17 and 15 now, the ripe old ages for dating, they have a real commitment to courtship. They too, want to have a story of courtship, purity and faithfulness.
We don't know what the future holds for any of us, but we do know that if we put our trust in the Lord, that he will be faithful to us and direct our steps and that the outcome will be pleasing in His eyes. (Proverbs 3:5-6) We know that each courtship story will be different as each will have different circumstances and individuals involved, but that will make it all the more beautiful as each will be their own story.
I have compiled a list of some resources that we have used over the years. Some are better than others, in my mind, but they all give insight and ideas in some fashion.
The Courtship Series by the Castleberry family. The Courtship of Sarah McLean
Waiting for Her Isaac
Jeff McLean: His Courtship
Journey of the Heart
I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Josh Harris
Her Hand in Marriage by Douglas Wilson
Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Malley
Emotional Purity by Heather Paulsen
How to Evaluate a Suitor (cd) by Doug Phillips
Of Knights and Fair Maidens by Jeff and Danielle Myers
Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop
Courtship - Topics to discuss by Doorposts ( free pdf)
Here are some titles that are wonderful for encouraging biblical girlhood.
So Much More by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin
Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald