Last night, my husband and I went to dinner. Nothing fancy. Just a bar & grill near home that we enjoy. It was chilly, so when we arrived he pulled up near the door and let me out before parking the car.

After our meal, he held my jacket while I slipped into it. Not surprisingly, he also held the door as we left the restaurant, and then the car door, too.

I’m a strong, independent woman who, together with the above-mentioned husband, is raising three strong, independent daughters. Heck, the four of us even attended a high school that prides itself on cranking out Empowered Women.

So I’m perfectly capable of walking across cold parking lots, opening doors, and putting on coats. I suppose I could take offense at my husband’s old-fashioned gestures. But I don’t. I cherish them.

When we began dating, these little courtesies gave me a glimpse into the way he was raised. I admit I was impressed. Having good manners definitely gave him an edge over other college suitors.

Now, after more than a quarter century together, I interpret his chivalry as much more than just a sign of his proper upbringing. Rather, it tells me that, though he knows I’m capable, he still wants to pamper me. He still wants to lighten my load. He still wants to go out of his way for me. I feel the same way, and I try to find little ways to pamper him, too.

We’re at a point now when parenting three females means meeting a variety of young males. It’s been interesting to see the differing levels of chivalry they demonstrate. Again, we feel it gives us some insight to how they’re being raised, and a sense of how they will treat our daughters in general.

I hope our girls recognize and value the niceties they’ve seen their father extend to me, and that they appreciate men who do the same for them, even if they are perfectly capable of doing those things themselves.