As I sit up in bed, my partner, Jake, breezes into the room with a steaming cup of coffee. He chuckles and says, “Your expression when I bring you coffee in the morning is priceless.” He then leans down and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead before passing me my latte.
Most of my mornings begin with this sweet gesture from my wonderful partner. I can’t help but take pride in the fact that he also tidies up the kitchen, prepares meals, goes grocery shopping, and even mops the floors. I married a truly remarkable man—someone who embodies kindness, integrity, and responsibility. We’ve shared 18 beautiful years together, and this is simply who he is.
Many might call me fortunate, and I certainly acknowledge the blessing I have in him. However, he isn’t a rarity. He is not the only wonderful man I’ve encountered in my life—not by a long stretch.
Yet, the media often focuses on the negative aspects, highlighting the misogynistic individuals who mistreat women. We hear too much about those who boast of violence and disrespect. While I recognize that these men exist in alarming numbers, they don’t represent the majority of the men I know. I would wager that they aren’t the majority in society either.
All around us are outstanding men whose goodness often goes unnoticed. I think back to the fathers I babysat for as a teenager—gentlemen who drove me home late at night without making me feel uneasy. I remember the respectful young men I dated who honored my boundaries, always stopping when I needed them to. My male friends and family aren’t shy about identifying as feminists, standing up for equality and fairness.
In Honor of Good Men
In honor of these men and the countless others who embody goodness, I’d like to raise a virtual toast:
- Here’s to the good men—the decent, kind, and diligent individuals we can always rely on.
- Here’s to the men who express their feelings and embrace vulnerability.
- Here’s to the men who reject the notion that masculinity justifies poor behavior, believing that locker room talk should never demean women.
- Here’s to the men who may not fully grasp the transformative journey of motherhood, yet strive to support the mothers of their children through every challenge.
- Here’s to the men who understand that fatherhood is a hands-on commitment, never referring to caring for their own kids as “babysitting.”
- Here’s to the men who uplift the women in their lives, encouraging them to chase their dreams, and who don’t feel threatened by women in positions of authority.
- Here’s to the men who appreciate the unique contributions women bring, actively advocating for greater female representation at all societal levels, understanding that equality benefits everyone.
- Here’s to the men who see that men and women are like the two wings of a bird; both must be strong for humanity to soar.
- Here’s to the men who are genuinely appalled by individuals like Brock Turner, who are baffled by stories of domestic violence, and who would never dream of using their strength to control or harm a woman.
- Here’s to the men who push back against the “boys will be boys” mentality, knowing that low expectations of male behavior only insult them.
- Here’s to the men who understand and strive to educate others on these values.
I know many of these good men, and I suspect you do too. If you don’t, it might be time to seek out new friendships. Truly, honorable, kind-hearted men are all around us.
So, here’s to the incredible men in the world. May we find them, cherish them, love them, and raise our sons to be just like them. Cheers!
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In summary, let’s celebrate the good men in our lives who embody kindness and support. They deserve recognition and appreciation.