Dear One-of-the-Boys Kind of Girl:

Trust me, I know it’s hard. You feel like you’re constantly in the friend-zone and, no matter what, you can’t get out. You feel like you’re easy-going, down-to-earth and don’t have any of the psycho characteristics that those crazy girlfriends have. You are, simply said, one of the boys.

Growing up with two older brothers it was fate that I would soon turn into one of the boys. I grew up playing basketball in the front yard and watching football games every Sunday. I begged to play video games with my brothers and even referred to myself as a “Tommy Boy.” And while getting a solid romantic relationship with a boy has failed time and time again, the friendships I have built with my guy friends are priceless.

It’s important to remember sometimes why, deep down, we love being one of the boys.

Your boy squad is your family. They will be there for you through the good times and the bad times with their front door always open. They never fail to welcome you with open arms, genuinely caring about what you have to say without judgment. They help you think with your head rather than your heart and keep you from overthinking. They aren’t afraid to tell you the harsh truth when you need it and don’t sugarcoat things that sometimes, you don’t want to hear.

They are protective of you.When someone is hurting you, they will be the first ones to stand up for you. If they see someone treating you anything less than perfect, they intervene. The minute they hear you’re crushing on a boy, they want to know everything about him. And more often than not, they will think you deserve better. Unlike your girlfriends, they aren’t scared to ruin their precious reputation by standing up for the ones they love. They stand behind you in any stupid fight you might be going through.

They help you learn how to handle boys.You’re able to kick back and chill on their level. You start to pick up on how boys work, what makes them tick and what makes them smile and can learn from that how to interact with other boys. Hanging out with the guys has truly taught me how oblivious they can be. They have helped me learn not to overthink what any boy says to me because more than likely, the boy doesn’t even know what he’s saying.

But most of all, they love you for who you are. Hanging with your guy friends is a judgment-free zone. They let you roll in with a bun, no makeup and some lazy clothes and they don't think twice about it. You feel no need to compare yourself to them because they are boys, so you never have to dress to impress. They let you be crazy, laugh, cry and whine with no complaints. And even when you fight, they will never let you go. Because they love you.

So, next time you’re down on yourself for being one of the boys, keep in mind why you truly do love it so much.

Love,

One of the Boys