My dad and older brother are very “masculine”, I guess you could say: competitive, strong both physically and mentally, and stubborn men who raised a little girl, me. Almost 20-years-old, and more mature and wise I'd like to think, I want to share 10 reasons why being raised by men has made me a stronger woman.
1. I can “play with the boys”
I’ve been playing sports with boys my whole life. Starting with pee-wee football in Michigan, pickup basketball after school with my brother’s friends, onto playing soccer in the boys' league in high school, and lifting with the boys' basketball team before practice. The boys definitely shoved me around then but I'd argue I do the majority of the shoving now.
2. I have hidden talents: I’m really good at dunking on nerf hoops
Nerf hoop dunk competitions were a weekly event in the Johnson household and I was eventually slamming windmill dunks right up there with Tim Duncan.
3. I have a very stern handshake
Male or female, young or old, I was raised to always greet people with eye contact and a stern handshake.
4. I’m spiritually devoted
March Madness is a holiday, the NCAA bracket is our shrine, the University of Michigan is our higher power, and Ohio State is not to be celebrated.
5. I’m a great cook
Well, sort of. I've mastered instant mashed potatoes and the perfect amount of time to leave a hot pocket in the microwave. I’ve worked on my skills over the years to create quite the repertoire though.
6. I’m a great driver and learned how to land a helicopter
\In Grand Theft Auto…
7. I know how it feels and what it means to be respected and loved by men
And will never be in a relationship where I am not respected and loved.
8. I don’t believe in the patriarchy
Raised by men certainly didn’t mean they did all the “manly” jobs; it meant they taught me how to do them myself. If my dad and brother can’t make me feel inferior because of my gender, no one can!
9. I value and believe in myself
From meeting me with chocolate and a hug when some guy made me cry and reminding me that I deserve much better, to cheering me on in every aspect of my life, I’ve truly learned to value and believe in myself.
10. And at least to my dad and brother: “Saturdays are for the boys … + Autumn”
No matter what, I was a part of everything they were.
It may not be the most traditional upbringing, and maybe I’m not the most “lady like”, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Because of these two men, I remember that its okay to stand up for myself and what I believe in, to treat everyone with respect, to shake hands with my opponent before and after games, and to believe in myself when no one else seems to. Dad, I know long jerseys used to qualify as dresses, but one day you’ll be walking me down the aisle in a very different dress. Regardless of whether I’m wearing Nike’s or those pretty shoes, the values instilled in me will last a lifetime. I'm a strong, young woman and gratefully give a lot of that credit to the strong men who raised me. The next man in my life won’t be just like them, but he better be pretty darn close.
