“Never settle for anything less than you deserve, and never settle for a man just because of his money, or material things he has." These are the words I’ve grown up hearing over and over again. Women throughout time have been taught as little girls to “marry rich” and that being a “trophy wife” would be such an easy, good life. We’ve all seen it portrayed through reality television and social interactions in general, and some parents even teach their children that idea (which quite frankly sickens me). Personally, I don’t understand how being a trophy wife seems fun at all. For some, maybe this is the life you choose, and that’s okay, because it’s your life. However, I will never settle to just be someone’s “arm candy” or “housewife."
Growing up, I’ve always been taught to have a strong mindset and to be an outspoken woman. I’ve been raised to focus on myself, and to be successful in everything I do and to never, ever depend on a man in any way. I’ve grown up in the mindset that “marrying rich” isn’t my goal in life, nor is being a housewife, because I want to be successful in my own life. I want to make something of myself and accomplish all of the big dreams that I have for myself. I want to travel the world, taste cuisines in South America, cage-dive with sharks in the Caribbean, and sail through the Grecian waters. I want to be successful in my future career, be proud of who I’ve become and ultimately raise a family with someone who dreams just as big. I want to be open-minded and equal to any man that I fall in love with. I want to find a man who I can have intelligent conversations with and laugh at dumb videos with. Someone who sees me more than just some “arm candy," but who looks at me proudly, in realization of how strong of a woman I am.
A real man is someone who can take the challenge of having a woman who has her own opinions, and he is someone who can appreciate me wanting to be independently successful. A man is someone who will challenge my beliefs and not just sugar-coat words or thoughts because it will “hurt my feelings." A real man is someone who will respect my desires and thoughts, as I will for him. I don’t want a boy who can’t take my humor, who can’t handle my personality or who thinks I should be dainty and look pretty 24/7. I don’t want a boy who is closed-minded or thinks he is the “man of the house” and what “he says goes” because I’m sorry but we are in 2016 and we will be equals. I want someone who will cook with me in the kitchen, take turns cleaning the house and encourage me throughout all of my dreams and goals, as I will for him. I don’t want someone who will treat me like a delicate flower, but I want someone who will challenge me constantly to be a better person.
Ultimately, I want to marry a man who loves me as much as my sister’s boyfriend loves her, because they are the definition of the ultimate power couple. Thus, a true power couple is when two people support each other indefinitely in any hopes or dreams they have, and who constantly strive to be happy and better than they were two days ago. So no, I don’t aspire to marry rich and be a trophy wife, because I have bigger dreams than simply standing by a man’s side and looking pretty. I aspire to marry a man who looks at me as if I’m his own personal trophy because of how powerful we become when we’re together.