Yes, I'd like to have a few children one day. But taking care of them won't be my only job in life.

Yes, I plan to raise a family. But I'll still focus on taking care of myself. I am important, too.

Yes, I plan to get married to a man. But our marriage will be a team, not a domestic servitude agreement.

The bottom line is that I refuse to settle for a life where I put everyone ahead of myself for the sake of "motherhood." For the sake of being the "best wife ever" or achieving "wifey goals." Frankly, I could care less. I want my children and husband to love and respect me, but at the end of the day, I need to feel personal value, too.

I will never sacrifice my professional career to take care of my children 24/7—even if it makes the most sense financially. I will never sacrifice self-care for the sake of tending to the individuals within my family. I will never give up my hobbies to spend more time with my family.

Maybe it sounds cruel or ruthless or savage to say these things, but I am a firm believer that a mother should not sacrifice herself for the sake of over-dramatic nobility.

Does it ever seem unfair that "being a mother is the most important job in the world"? Does it ever make you wonder why this is rarely said of fatherhood? Does it ever make you question why husbands are never pressured to quit their jobs for the sake of caring for the family? Does it ever make you wonder why fathers oftentimes skip out on the difficult aspects of parenting in favor of doing only fun activities with their kids?

I hope I'm not the only person who sees the unfairness within this social expectation. I hope that you notice the unfair balance embedded within our society's gender roles. Promise me that you'll do everything you can to break down this stereotype that only women can be motherly and only men can be fatherly.

To all the anti-feminists out there: Be grateful for the rights, privileges, and power that we (especially as women) are so blessed with knowing here in the United States. It's so important that you realize that we—as a result of countless movements, amendments, protests, and courageous individuals— have achieved so much in the past few decades.

Please don't ruin it for us! Someday, we might have a female president. Maybe then you'll realize just how beneficial it is to see women finally breaking the glass ceiling. Maybe then you'll realize just how wonderful it is to see women in positions of power.

To all the feminists out there (myself included): Don't give up on your dreams. Just because society tells you to act or think a certain way according to your gender expectations doesn't mean that you should. You can be anything you desire.

Just be something that promotes equality, fairness, and appreciation for all individuals—we owe it to ourselves.