Behind every boxer is a good cornerman. Behind every great sports team is a good coach/manager. And as the old adage goes, “Behind every strong man is a stronger woman.” While that is often true, it is also true that if you are fortunate enough to be in a relationship with an extraordinary woman, it is important that you are a strong person behind her, supporting her, as she also supports you.
Extraordinary women change the world.
I am not an extraordinary woman. I’ll venture to guess that some of you aren’t either. Each of us either an extraordinary woman ourself or has a connection to several extraordinary women in our circles.
I am blessed to have a circle of extraordinary women who I have been surrounded by, inspired by, and supported by. My daughter is growing up and will soon be an extraordinary woman in her own right. I was raised by an extraordinary woman who balanced work and family, sacrificing much to nurture us into our own best selves. I am related to multiple extraordinary women who are busy professionals, domestic CEOs, changemakers, and more.
Most importantly, I am married to an extraordinary woman.
Watching all of these amazing women in the world around me, it can be easy to get caught up in all that they are accomplishing, all they are doing, and and all they are being. Sometimes I am frozen in place when I see all that an empowered woman can do and be and share. And, I need to acknowledge that sometimes, I take it for granted.
I have to remind myself that instead of standing on the sidelines and observing, or taking for granted the awesomeness that I witness every day, I can be an active supporter. Encourage an extraordinary woman. Celebrate an extraordinary woman.
Your methods may vary, but for me, celebrating the main extraordinary woman in my life means letting her know that her power isn’t going unnoticed. This manifests itself in many ways. It means flowers, candlelight dinners, love notes tucked in a work bag, or time alone to relax. It also means washing the dishes, staying home to care for our daughter when she’s sick, or not leaving dirty clothes strewn about the bedroom.
Whatever is best for the extraordinary women around you, it’s important that we take the time to listen, acknowledge, and encourage. Continue supporting them. Because these empowered, extraordinary women truly are changing our world.
Thank you for sharing this, Kory. From a woman’s perspective, I have to say how important it is that you let the important woman/women in your life how great they are.
As you know, so much of women’s work still goes unnoticed and unappreciated, even in this day and age. I know that I find it particularly supportive when Charlie acknowledges what I am doing and that it counts. As well, taking care of his share keeps us honest with each other and ourselves and helps for both of us to share the load and stay connected in a healthy balance.
@Angela Wheeler I’m so glad to be part of this important conversation. I like how you mentioned staying connected in a healthy balance by everyone taking care of their share. That’s so important as it’s yet another way of celebrating each other’s extraordinary.
Thank you, Kory, for this. I want to acknowledge how grateful I am to the men in my life who really get me and support me–in all kinds of ways, but most importantly by saying I matter and the work I do matters: my Dad, my brother and my boyfriend Carson (all of whom are entrepreneurs in their own rights). I know that I’ve forgotten at times (a lot of times) how I need support, I need a partner, I need a team. Thank you for reminding us all–and for acknowledging what significant important work that support for and from men, which can be lost or overlooked in our cultural narrative.
@Rebecca Prien Thanks Rebecca. That’s awesome you have supportive men in your life. I know that giving and receiving that support has been a huge difference maker for me. We all forget sometimes how important that is and this conversation was a reminder for me as well. Thank you for sharing.
For the love of the woman!!!