Everyday, as I watch TV commercials, television shows, scroll through social media, or even listen to the radio, I hear the same thing. Male bashing – and lots of it.

I understand that there is humor in most things, and humor is important. What has happened for several years, however, is more insidious – it is the purposeful attack on men and maleness.

As a wife and a daughter, my job is to lift up the men in my life. Say what?!

Let me qualify this – if you are in an abusive relationship, then get out. If you are struggling in your marriage, get therapy. Do not air your dirty laundry – this is a lesson I have learned the very hard way when I was younger.

For the rest of us, count your blessings, and expound upon them.

My husband doesn’t leave the toilet seat up. He puts his clothes in the laundry basket. He’s not the sixth kid in the house.

My husband is my partner, and I am his help-meet. He cooks. He cleans. He does his own yard work. He changes the oil. If it’s broke, he fixes it.

He doesn’t come in and sit in the recliner and watch tv, while drinking beer and ignoring me.

All these stereotypes are perpetuated every day, and it isn’t doing anyone any good.

We’ve gotten to the point where radicals are claiming testosterone is “toxic”.

Nonsense.

There are two parts of this marriage, masculine and feminine, and we are both important.

My husband can lift heavy things that I can’t, and I’m not threatened by this. He’s my protector, he is chivalrous- he opens doors for me, and I’m okay with this. He honors me, and I know this is a blessing.

Being a weaker vessel, as the Bible refers to women, is not a slight to me. I don’t need to be him. I don’t want him to be me. We each bring important, different qualities to our relationship.

One is not more important than the other.

I do not want us made into an amalgamation – though we are one as a couple, we are two individuals.

Lift up your spouse. Honor their strengths. Don’t chip away at them. Appreciate what you have, instead of highlighting the minutia.

I am married to a strong, masculine man.

I couldn’t be happier.