We spent our childhoods watching movies and reading stories about heroes triumphing over villains. Underdogs who stood up for what’s right, protected their tribe, and put their values on full display as they fought for the things they believed in. We watched as they risked their lives to defend what were, at the end of the day, their principles. And we loved them. Followed them as their character arcs unfolded. Cried when they fell and cheered when they rose. Somehow we thought we could see a little bit of ourselves in those heroes, hoping that when we would someday face off against our own version of a dragon or wicked witch or evil king, we’d have the strength to do what what’s right and not just what’s comfortable. And yet, as adults we learn time and time again that so many around us are nothing like the moral paragons that we sat and watched as hopeful, impressionable, bright-eyed, pure little kids.

Humans will disappoint us, and each time it happens the light that fueled our inner child dims a little more. Maybe people aren’t so “good” after all. Maybe they aren’t fierce or noble or brave when it matters. Maybe when they’re confronted with difficulty or discomfort, they’re far more likely to take the path of least resistance, including and especially when it’s in direct contradiction to a “core” belief that (it turns out) isn’t in their core at all.

All this to say…when I have a chance to stand strong against something that I know is wrong, I will. Every single time. Because my daughter deserves to know that the traits that make a character the hero in her storybooks do exist. The strength, integrity, honesty, humility, bravery, and unselfish compassion for others. And I want her to know that those traits exist in her because they exist in me.

So I will fight for her when others in her life won’t. I will happily piss off everyone else in my life if it means standing up for what I feel passionate about, and protecting her in the process. My daughter does not come second to anyone, and my morality does not come second to your comfort.  Because the fact of the matter is, she’s constantly watching, and she’s listening even more than that. I want her to hear me being her hero when it’s necessary, and I want her to see me smiling while I do it.

I hope everyone remembers that my girl will someday know who’s who in her story. Protagonist or antagonist…you decided your place, not me.