Love Song: Proposal to My Future Son

When I was a senior in college I wrote a letter to my future daughter  for a class. Even though there were certain topics that I was supposed to address my letter was organic and heartfelt. As I look at the world around me I have no doubt in my mind that I will raise a strong independent female. She will be encourage to be honest, opinionated and a little warrior.  I know that things will never be easy for her but I am confident that I will give her a great foundation to handle all the punches. With each moment I get concerned for the welfare of my unborn son. What kind of man will he be?

Will he know that being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness? Will he know that being caring does not make him less of a men? Will he know that sadness is apart of life and it is okay to express that emotion? Will he have no space for hate in his heart? Will he be able to play with dolls without people questioning his sexuality? Will he be a man the brings people up instead of bringing them down? When things get tough will he know my ear is waiting to hear him? Will he be a gentleman? Will he consider himself to be a feminist?  Will he create his own definition of masculinity? Would he be someone who beats to his own drum? Would people think its weird that his ears are pierced? Will he be the little Billy Elliott I have always dreamed about?  Will he know that no matter what path he chooses in life that I will never be disappointed in him? Would he recognize the importance of a woman's voice? Will he know that no means no? Will someone break his heart? Will he know that love is louder than any other voice he hears in his head?

Those are the thoughts that plague my mind. I have no doubt that I will raise a strong female but I wonder if I will raise a strong man.