To my guy best friend-

Some of us, though not all of us, are lucky enough to have befriended a wonderful male human being. If you are more than lucky, perhaps you have more than one.

It is often said that you can’t be “just friends” with a guy if you are a girl, or vice versa. Maybe you had a period of time that there was a certain kind of tension, maybe you did not. Either way, I believe it is something that can be overcome, or not to be a temptation at all.

But this best friend I have, he’s awesome. It was the type of man in my life I never asked for. He can be there to guide and advise you, but not be authoritative like a father. He can be your brother, teasing you and going on adventures, making mistakes, and accomplishing goals. Of course, he thinks he’s funny. He will play pranks on you, and maybe even poke at your weaknesses. When finally pinned down and tapped out on the living room floor, he won’t let you win, but he will let you try. All of which, is more than enough. I don’t know about you, but sometimes that is exactly the type of male relationship I need.

But here is the thing about this guy, though perhaps still becoming a man himself, he helps you grow. For me, he was always there. He will hang out with me, or be my date when I am alone, without question. Our individual romantic relationships did not get in the way of our bonding, and that is something special. He does not get caddy, he gets honest. Do I agree with him all the time? Definitely not. Admittedly, sometimes I blame that on him being a “stupid boy”. However, I have to respect that he brings up the things he does, he challenges me, even when having challenges within himself.

Above all, he was also the only kind of man I needed when I felt like my world was falling apart. My plans were failing, my future was changing, and I was scared. When I felt like I needed a man’s support more than anything, it turns out, I had one… even if it was not in the form I thought I needed. When I was crying about a boy to whom I had given my heart, he was the one to hold me while I wondered if I even knew what love was. As it turns out, I did know what love was, just not the kind I was thinking of. He was the greatest kind of man to have around, and different than a significant other because he was able to continue to love me in the way I needed most: as a best friend. In no way that my girlfriends could hold me, or that my parents could console me, he was there to help make sense of it all. If that is not love, I do not know what is. I will always thank him for all that he has done in helping to get me where I am today, and loving me.

That is what a guy best friend really is. If you are lucky enough to have one, make sure that they know you recognize them as so, because they really are the best. <3