I find myself propped up in bed when my partner enters the room, a warm cup of coffee in hand. He catches my eye and chuckles, “Your expression is priceless when I bring you coffee in the morning.” A gentle kiss on the forehead later, he hands me my latte.
Most mornings begin with my wonderful partner delivering my caffeine fix. If I may take a moment to brag, he also manages to keep the kitchen tidy, prepares delicious meals, shops for groceries, and even mops the floors. I’m fortunate to share my life with a genuinely good man—one who embodies kindness, integrity, and responsibility. Together, we’ve navigated marriage for 18 years, and this is the essence of who he is.
While many might say I’m lucky, I recognize the value of what I have and certainly do not take it for granted. However, my husband is not a mythical creature; he is not the sole example of a good, decent man in my life. In fact, he is far from being alone.
Yet, when we look at societal narratives, it often feels like the focus is on the negative—on the misogynistic individuals who mistreat women, boast about inappropriate behavior, or commit acts of violence. While these men may be more visible, they do not represent the majority of the men I know. I’m willing to bet they aren’t the majority in society as a whole.
Countless admirable men remain underappreciated. I think back to the fathers from my teenage babysitting days, who drove me home late at night without ever making me feel uneasy. I recall the respectful young men I dated, who honored my boundaries and ceased any advances when I asked. Then there are my male friends and relatives, proud feminists who advocate for equality.
To Honor These Men
To honor these men and the many others like them, I’d like to raise a virtual toast:
- Here’s to the good men—decent, kind, and diligent individuals upon whom we can rely.
- Here’s to the men who express their emotions and embrace vulnerability.
- Here’s to those who refuse to use their masculinity as justification for poor behavior, knowing that locker room banter should never demean women.
- Here’s to the men who may not fully grasp the physical and emotional transformations of motherhood, yet strive to support the mothers of their children through every challenge.
- Here’s to those who understand that parenting is not just a responsibility; it’s an active involvement, and they don’t refer to caring for their own children as “babysitting.”
- Here’s to the men who uplift the women in their lives, encouraging them to chase their aspirations without feeling threatened by their success.
- Here’s to those who value the unique yet equal contributions women offer, actively promote female representation, and acknowledge that advocating for equality benefits everyone.
- Here’s to the men who recognize 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 appalled by the likes of Brock Turner, who shake their heads in disbelief at domestic violence, and who cannot fathom using their strength to harm a woman.
- Here’s to those who reject outdated notions like “boys will be boys,” knowing such standards insult their character.
- Here’s to the men who understand and strive to educate others on the importance of respect.
I count many of these men among my acquaintances, and I bet you do too. If you don’t, it’s time to seek out new friendships. Good, kind men are all around us, just waiting to be recognized.
So here’s to the exceptional men of the world. May we find them, may we cherish them, and may we raise our sons to become like them.
Further Reading
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Summary
This article celebrates the many good men who embody kindness, respect, and responsibility. It highlights the importance of acknowledging their contributions in a society often focused on negative portrayals of masculinity. By raising a toast to these remarkable individuals, we encourage the recognition of their positive impact on the world and the necessity of nurturing future generations to embody these values.