I have several women in my life that I love dearly. Some of them are my relatives, others my chosen family, and extremely close friends. I have been by their side when they have gone through heartbreak. I have held them when they have cried, feeling helpless in my own right because someone I care about is suffering because of someone they trusted. So this is to the guys that want a chance with those “girls” and also to those “girls” because they are worth so much more than what the boys in their past have led them to believe.

1. Be a Man.

This is the biggest thing that boys need to understand. Being a man has nothing to do with height, weight, athletic ability, or how many women you have been with. Being a man, from a women’s point of view, means taking a woman you are interested in out on a damn date. Netflix n’ chill doesn’t even remotely count. Also paying for the date isn’t as big of a deal anymore, but come on, a man can pay for dinner. Figure out what her biggest interest in life is before you try a show her your “big” interest in the bedroom. Also know how to take “No” for an answer instead of trying to persuade her otherwise. Being a man, to me, means being the guy she can brag to her friends and family about. It means that when she’s upset, she can turn to you and you’ll be there for her. If you call yourself a man and the only thing that “qualifies” you to be one is you age and how much you make in a year, honey you’re just a greedy boy not a man.

2. Know When to Give Space.

This is another important thing to remember. The “girls” that I am referring to are amazing women, that have been through their own hardships and made it out even stronger. These hardships have made them a little more complex. They are extremely caring, but need time themselves. So if you guys fight or just have been around each other for a long period of time, know when to give her a breather. Recognize that she needs her “me” time, but that doesn’t take away how much she cares for you. Also when she tries to push away in times of hardship, do not let her.

She is used to handling things on her own, but she needs to know that people do not always leave and that the right person can be trusted with anything.

3. Beautiful not Sexy.

These women are strong, pretty, beautiful, and sassy; and they deserve a man who will tell them that. Tell her that she looks incredibly beautiful or pretty, even when you get those early morning bedhead snaps. When she is giving you sass, take it and have fun throwing it right back. Also every women loves to be called sexy from time to time, but if you lead with that and that’s all you say to her that’s lust not love and men know the difference.

4. Have Fun!

These “girls” I’m talking about are far from boring, but like any other human being they can get caught in a rut, so don’t let her. Take her out to somewhere different, go for a road trip, go see a concert, or cook together. Show her or remind her how much fun she is and how much fun you guys can have together. Invest your time in her, because if you do she will start to learn she can truly trust you.

5. Break her Heart I Break your Face.

This is more of a warning to anyone who wants to date the “girls” in my life. I care about them, I worry about them, and I am extremely protective of them; so if you hurt them you are done. I will make sure she cuts all ties with you and that she moves on to an actual “man” not just a boy parading around as one.

I hope whomever reads this realizes what they deserve and/or how they should act. Also I hope all of the women I care about read this so they understand how great and important they really are and how much they really deserve in a relationship.