Friday, June 17, 2011

In Praise of Men

Too many of my fellow women bash men. That saddens me because some of the most valuable people in my life are men.

In honor of Father's Day, I want to extol some of the great things I love about men, especially about the one who's captured and held my heart for all these years, my own husband.

I love the old school things, like a man holding the door open for a woman, and when a man walks next to us on the side closest to the street to protect us from out of control cars. I love when a man helps me on with a coat and tips his cap/hat in my presence. It makes me just about swoon when a man holds the chair out for a woman in a restaurant, then carefully pushes it back in.

I love that men are protective. Just as women would fight to the death for any of their children, men would fight to the death for their children and for us.

I love men who honor and respect their moms with all that is within them, because that shows how they will treat their own wives and daughters. It brought tears to my eyes when my husband drove 4 hours to visit his mom in the nursing home, saw the poor condition of her nails which had always mattered so much to her, went and bought a manicure set, and set about making her nails as beautiful as he could although he had no experience at it.

Personally, I love manly men who aren't trying to cover up their masculinity. The metrosexual bit doesn't work for me.

I love that men are so logically minded and yet still try to grapple with their woman's thought patterns and PMS emotions. That takes courage to not just attempt it once, but over and over again.

I love that men are so pleased by their women, whether it be with our bodies, or the food we cook for them, or for any of the other things we bring into their lives, and they aren't afraid to express their appreciation.

I love men who are amazing daddies. Their daughters will see from their father's example how a future spouse should cherish them, and their sons will see that real manhood means a mix of toughness and tenderness.

I love men who aren't threatened by their woman's success. In fact, the more successful she is, the harder he cheers for her.

Most of all, I love that God gave us men in our lives to show us how to be dependent on each other. Men, we couldn't make it though this life without you.

What about you? What do you love about men?

7 comments:

  1. I think you've pretty much nailed it, Shelly. :-) Well said.

    Pearl

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  2. I assume you are expecting only women to respond but I had to say thanks for the kind words directed toward men. We all know that a lot don't deserve any credit but many do. I have 3 grown daughters and 3 grand children and am proud of all of them. Have a wonderful weekend.
    Odie

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  3. I love men too, Shelley. I love the gruff, rough, tough demeanor of a Real Man. I love how their minds work. I love how a good man makes me feel safe. This is a great post.

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  4. Pearl: Thank you!

    Odie: Aww, you're such a sweet man- have a great Father's Day!

    Crystal: Thanks! And, I agree- I'll take my rough, tough man in his boots and jeans over a three piece suit any day.

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  5. I love that I can trust my husband to always be there for me, no matter what happens. He is supportive and a shoulder to cry on. I only cry with him, no one else. I love that he is so generous to my mother and sister and of course our children.

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  6. I love all the things you said about men. I love that my man is the head of our family, there to love and protect us at all costs. All the sacrifices he does for us amazes me and makes me fall in love with him all over again.

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  7. Belle: He sounds like a wonderful man!

    Jamie Jo: People talk a lot about the sacrifices women make for their families, but men sacrifice equally as well. I'm so glad we have them in our lives.

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