Okay, so a lot of times, I hear other girls slandering their friends because they hang out with their boyfriends too much, or because they talk about their boyfriends too often, or constantly remind people in general of their significant other’s existence. I’m here to tell all of the girls who do this to kindly shut up.

Seriously, just can it before I lose all self-control and go into a full outrage. Do you have a best friend? Do you have a friend? If yes, then you should understand how this works. You know, the inside jokes, laughing, hanging out, sharing stupid stories, updating on each other’s families, the whole nine yards.

So what’s so different about having that with someone you’re also mutually romantically interested in? I mean, isn’t that kind of end game? I know that at the end of the day, I want to be able to watch some bogus TV show with my husband after us trying to not burn down the kitchen (you tried, mom)—and then I want to be able to go to bed with them. I want to go to church with them, dates, and family events, but I also want to go to football games and watch boy TV shows and go to car shows.

What I have with my boyfriend is a friendship wrapped up with love and a sloppy hopeless romantic bow on top. I have someone to tell my stories and ideas to, who won’t judge me no matter how weird I am—and I’m the same way with him. We can talk sh*t together as well as we can discuss government policies. We try new things together, we laugh a lot together, and when we get into fights, we still end up with one of us being sarcastic and the other person giggling like a child.

My boyfriend is my best friend because he understands me and I understand him. When he makes a face, I know exactly what he’s thinking. He makes me smile, and I love to make him laugh-- a lot.

I love that I have someone I’m interested in as a romantic partner. But more than that, I’m incredibly fortunate to have someone that I’m interested romantically in, but who I can also watch HGTV with me in exchange for a sports game (even though he has to tell me what the hell is going on), or to make dinner together (we both suck but we’re good sports about it), or study together—which is hard when we’re talking about weekend plans.

So to all of you girls out there who hate on those who make their boyfriend a priority and call him their best friend, chill out. There’s a reason for it. And yes, I promise he’s not taking your spot. It’s more than likely you still have your best friends who also consider their boys as best friends. So let the lovey-dovey friendship continue without your side commentary, and let us live.