Girlfriends (as in female friends) get a lot of (well-deserved) love, but when you think about how lucky you are to have such great friends, don’t forget about the boys in your life. Guy friends are a special kind of amazing, and even though most of them might not be up for doing their makeup with you before going out for girls’ night, they still bring a whole lot to the friendship table. The next time you see “your boys,” make sure you thank them for the incredible things they add to your life:
- For giving the best advice Girlfriends are hands-down the best people ever for when you just need to vent, but when you need to figure out what you need to do to solve your problems, nothing beats pouring out all your troubles to your guy friends. It may be a stereotype that men are more practical than women are, but at least in my group of friends, it’s definitely true.
- For being protective The best kinds of guy friends know that you can handle yourself just fine, but are still ready to step in and whoop some ass if needed. They keep an open mind when it comes to the people you date, but no matter how cool your new boyfriend may be, he’d better watch his step around your boys. It’s not that they’re jealous — they just want the best for you.
- For embracing your “dude” side Even if you’re a pro at makeup and fashion, every girl has that side of her that is loaded up with testosterone. Maybe you love football, four-wheeling, or just burping the ABCs, but no matter what your more “manly” tendencies are, you can count on your bros to help you let your dude flag fly.
- For being so much better than boyfriends Boyfriends come and go, but guy friends are forever. Even if you find a man worth sticking around for, your guy friends are still going to provide a unique kind of friendship and love that can’t be replaced. They won’t break your heart, they won’t go behind your back, and they will never make you question how much you mean to them.
- For putting your head back where it needs to be Good guy friends have big hearts, but also a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to helping others. If you’re going through a tough time, they’ll sit with you while you cry on their shoulders… but then, they help you get back on your feet and reclaim the strong, fearless part of yourself. Men might not always be the best at emotional stuff, but they make up for it by putting you on the fast track to happiness.
- For giving you space when you need it As much as I love my girlfriends, they have a much harder time understanding that sometimes, I just need some time alone with my thoughts. Guy friends tend to know that you don’t always need someone to shove kindness up your ass when you’re going through something tough. They’ll be there for you if you need them, but if what you really need is solitude, they’re more than happy to give you that, too.
- For telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear Girlfriends are perfect for when you just need to hear that your ex was a piece of crap and that you’re a flawless goddess who deserves a Henry Cavill lookalike for a husband, but guy friends are the ones who will tell you honestly that although that dude was far from great, you were also kind of a jerk. It’s not that they don’t love you just as much as your female BFFs; they just want to help you keep both feet on the ground. They know that the ugly truth might sting a little now, but that it’s better to experience life without rose-colored glasses, too.
- For loving you in a way that only guy friends can The way that guy friends love is different from the way girlfriends love and definitely different from the way boyfriends love. It’s a special kind of care that is all at once the sweetest thing in the world and a little rough around the edges. It’s impossible to describe or replicate, but all you know is that you can’t imagine life without it.
- For showing you what you should really look for in a man If your standards have skyrocketed since you became close with your guy friends, you’re not alone. They really have a way of showing you that settling for anything less than a man who makes you a priority is a waste of your time, mostly because they themselves refuse to treat you like you’re disposable. They might not give you the princess treatment, but really, that’s not what you’re looking for in a romantic relationship, either. You just want someone you can be your complete self around, and the way they love you is proof that somewhere out there is a marriage-worthy guy who will adore you for both your strengths and your flaws.
- For being more like brothers than friends “Friend” always seems like such a lightweight word when it comes to your guy friends, doesn’t it? Sure, you guys hang out and spend obscene amounts of time together, but the bond you have with them has always meant something much more than that. Truth be told, these guys have always been more like family than friends, and even though you don’t share DNA with them, you still see them as your brothers.
