As a father of two young ladies, I always worked hard to raise them to be independent women who believed they could do anything they set their minds to.
I exposed them to summer classes in architecture, AutoCAD, engineering, and robotics. I encouraged them to participate in sports like Jiu-Jitsu, karate, and Taekwondo. For me, it was never about forcing them into one path. It was about giving them options, empowering them not to fear life, and opening their eyes to the possibilities in front of them.
At the same time, I never wanted them to feel like strength meant losing their femininity.
At first, I had my doubts. They were very basic. No makeup, no frills, and definitely not the typical teenage social scene. But later, they grew into makeup, dressing more ladylike, and yes, liking boys.
I wanted my daughters to know they could do it all. They did not need a man to complete them. But I also never wanted them to believe that independence meant rejecting the possibility of sharing life with a good man, if he was the right one.
When I was young, I remember going out with my parents. Wherever we went, my father would tell me to run ahead and get to the door before my mother and sisters so I could open it for them. That lesson became engraved in the deepest parts of my soul. I still do it to this day. Maybe not 100% of the time, but probably 95%. To me, it is as natural as breathing.
And yes, I know a woman is fully capable of opening the door herself. She can do that just fine when I’m not there. But when I am there, I’m opening it.
This past week, I was with a young lady for work, and I opened the door for her almost every time. She told me it was not necessary because we were at work.
I looked at her and jokingly said, “You’re not special.”
What I meant was this: every woman who enters my vehicle gets the door opened for her. It is not about romance. It is not about weakness. It is not about needing help. It is about respect, service, consideration, and the way I was raised.
So I ask the question: Is chivalry dead?
Is the expectation that a man should be chivalrous dead?
Why does opening a door feel like such a grand gesture today?
But there is a bigger picture here.
We have to stop making acts of service, kindness, consideration, and thoughtfulness seem rare or extraordinary. These things should not feel special. They should feel normal.
Men, open the damn door.
Ladies, if he cannot open the door, how well is he really going to treat you?
Because this is not really about the door.
It is about choosing who gets to sit beside you in life.
Who makes your life better?
Who honors you?
Who serves you?
Who chooses you with his actions, not just his words?
To my daughters, and to every woman reading this: choose yourself. And when you choose someone to walk beside you, choose someone who also chooses to serve, protect, honor, and uplift you.
