Your Greatest Protector Needs To Be You

Dear Malin Reese, Recently, on a flight from Costa Rica to LAX, three guys, all around the same age, sat down in Row 44 of a Boeing 737. The guy who sat in the window seat was tired. He’d just been to Costa Rica on a business trip and was really eager to get home to his wife and daughter. The two guys who sat next to him were good friends. The guy in the window seat knew this because the middle seat guy said “You’re my best bro” a handful of times to the aisle seat guy before the plane had even taken off. MSG and ASG seemed frat-boyish but ultimately harmless. Right before WSG drifted off, he heard ASG say, “Bro, I still smell her on me.” Charming, thought WSG, but he quickly fell asleep.

Let’s move ahead to a couple hours into the flight. WSG is minding his own business, listening to music, when MSG turns to him and taps him on the shoulder. WSG takes his headphones off and MSG offers this, “I’m buying a whorehouse”. He points to an Excel spreadsheet he has pulled up on his laptop. Sure enough, it’s titled “Skank Palace.” He tells me it’s a working title but he thinks it has potential. WSG is stunned for a couple reasons. One, that someone casually just told him that he’s buying a whorehouse. And two, the fact that the business plan he’s put together looks legitimate. Unsolicited, MSG tells WSG that a good woman is only $40 in Costa Rica. He said that he got a 3 for 1 deal the night before. ASG chimes in that he could have done the same but instead he just bought the same girl 3 times. Fist bumps, laughs and a chorus of “bro’s!” follow these confessions. At that moment, WSG sees that both ASG and MSG are wearing wedding rings. WSG puts his headphones back on. The music continues but all he can think of is how badly he wants to hug his daughter and protect her from guys like this.

Malin, I won’t always be able to save you, to protect you from the world, from men as described above. It’s my greatest fear. Some of my letters border on sentimental but mostly I hope they can be letters of empowerment. My belief is that personal empowerment will help you become your greatest protector. Trust your instincts and demand that the feelings you feel for another human being are returned in kind. Don’t feel the need to be a savior of anyone. And, if by chance you find out your husband is building a business plan around opening a whorehouse in Costa Rica and sampling the local flavors, call your Dad. He’ll step in and be your protector.

Love,

Dad