You’ve just got to love them. Whether you’re the only daughter in a family of sons, in a male-dominated sport or profession, or just have a lot of guy friends, you know what I’m talking about. There’s a special dynamic between you and your boys.

They tease you. Endlessly. About school, work, relationships, and life in general. The moment they find out some little piece of information or gossip, they stop right there and never let you hear the end of it. Do they actually seek to know what’s really going on? Maybe. But most of the time, the rumor is enough fuel for days of teasing and badgering. Especially if you act too much "like a girl". But don't let their taunting get you down. You just do you, keep it real, and they'll accept you.

They try to protect you. You’re one of their own, and just like girls, they protect their own. Sometimes they try to shield you from something that they don’t want you to see (although you can handle whatever they have to throw at you anyway) and they get a little territorial when someone new comes into your life. This is ok: they want to make sure no harm ever comes to you. Although it may annoy you to no end, they really do mean well.

They support you—in their own way. It’s not always an obvious expression of support, but you just know that they are there, helping lift you up and ready to catch you if you fall. But they might not come out and say that. You just know that it’s true. They’re your silent partners, your backup, your behind-the-scenes guys.

They don’t get it, and that’s a good thing. Sometimes a different perspective on your problems is good. Guys are “outsiders” to a girl’s mind, so if something is going on, they may be able to offer advice and suggestions that you wouldn’t have thought of, just because they’re looking at the issue more objectively. Whatever it is, just because they “don’t get it,” doesn’t mean they can’t help. It actually means that they may be the most helpful.

They love you. Plain and simple. And really, that’s all that matters.