This summer has put me in a perfect position to write this article. I work in a science research lab as a summer intern. This not only means I work with a lot of guys, but that those guys are of a wide age range and come from all over the United States. I decided that the opportunity to find such a variety of interesting, intelligent, and all-around awesome guys isn't something to be missed. So I spent a few weeks casually asking guys around the lab (as well as a few other friends from back home) about their thoughts on women.

What I got was an overwhelmingly positive response. I actually clutched my heart in joy upon hearing several of these responses. Some guys had comments on womankind in general while others talked about specific women who impacted their lives. One awesome guy even said that there were too many things to appreciate about women to comment in such a casual way. But not a single one of those guys had a negative thing to say about women, and most commented on the ways women show their beauty through actions or personality rather than looks. I was overwhelmed with joy and literally clutched my heart upon hearing several of the responses. My heart soared hearing all of my favorite male friends talking about women in such a beautiful and tender way. It's as if even the thought of a woman's true beauty brought out the best in these awesome guys.

Perhaps you think a male would never say anything less than positive when specifically asked by a female about females. You might be right. But one of my favorite aspects of asking guys about girls was watching their expressions and hearing their initial reactions. Understanding that guys from all over the United States and Puerto Rico appreciate women is less about knowing what they said and more about understanding their process of deciding what to say. I was intrigued over and over again by the willingness of guys to not just respond to my promptings but to do so in a thoughtful and gentle way. I've had such an amazing little journey preparing for this article that it makes me a bit sad that it's over. I no longer have an excuse to ask guys to appreciate femininity. But if this article reaches just one person's heart as writing it has touched mine, then it will have done its job.

Before going any further, I need to thank the phenomenal men who helped me create this article. Thank you for your willingness to not only listen to both me and your own heart but to share what you heard with the world.

Below are just a few of the answers that I got from guys. As you read, I hope that you can imagine the care and discernment that went into each thought and the quotes that came from those thoughts. In their own words, here is how fourteen men from all over the United States and Puerto Rico told me that women are beautiful. They told me that their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, historical inspirations, friends, and girlfriends are beautiful. They told me that you are beautiful.

"I appreciate women when they show their nurturing side. I just think it's beautiful when their feminine qualities shine through." - Bud (Phoenix, Arizona)

"Women are beautiful when they pursue their passions and when they're excited about what they're doing. I also especially appreciate my mom because she enjoys spending time with me. She always pushes me to do my best and helps me get there." - Connor (Providence, Rhode Island)

"It's hard for me to name a characteristic I appreciate "generically" in women because all the women I know are incredibly diverse and all of them have different but amazing talents and personality traits. I've become good friends with very outgoing women, very quiet women, very artistic women, women who are amazingly gifted in STEM fields, women who have sacrificed everything for their families and women who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of a noble ambition. And I wouldn't consider any of these women to be "more feminine" or "less feminine" than any other woman. I don't know how much of a right I have to say this as a guy, but I think femininity has nothing to do with wearing expensive makeup or clothes, or the number of hours you spend styling your hair. It has everything to do with accepting the beautiful and immeasurably precious existence that you already are and never allowing your soul to be shut into the Barbie doll box the world tells you it should be in." - Andrew (Macungie, Pennsylvania)

"The women in my life have taught me to be honest with myself and be more compassionate to others. Women have also taught me patience and understanding; it is far more useful to understand why something is as it is, and how it can can change, rather than complain simply that it is." - Steven (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

"Women are beautiful especially when they don’t wear makeup." - Dalton (Forest Grove, Oregon)

"What I find funny is that the things that girls don't like [about themselves], I end up enjoying. Such as the way she could laugh or if her nose crinkles a bit when she is focusing on something. For me personally, the little things that a girl may dislike about herself, I end up loving. If a perfect God made man (and woman of course) in his image, then how can a lady think she is anything less than perfect? Yes, we may have earthly eyes, but we can always change our perspective. It breaks my heart when women view themselves as less. Less of anything really because the truth is that they are so much more but are letting the things around them limit them. It is super cliche but the biggest limiting factor we have is our mind. I know it is not easy for a girl to just believe she is pretty or loved or worthy or wanted, but like most good things it takes time. Also, it's just a truth that one broken person will not feel whole with someone by their side. One thing (that I do not tell the girls I date too often) that I absolutely love is staring at her. When she is not looking and we are lying down on a couch or something. I love looking at every single intricate twist and turn and freckle. I find that beautiful. It is unique to her." -David (Rio Grande City, Texas)

"I like how women are kind, caring, and tender; their tenderness is enhanced sensitivity to often-overlooked needs, not weakness. Women motivate and inspire through words, actions, and their nature as unique, precious, and complex people." - Caleb (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

"My girlfriend Katja is the epitome of a strong woman. She is a Unmanned Aircraft Operator, International Business Woman, Sorority President, and a beautiful caring soul. She works hard every day to get ahead in her industry. I love and appreciate her drive and patience with people, me included. Without her I know I would not be as strong or driven a person." - Matthew (Gurnee, Illinois)

"Personally, I like that women can be independent and find it beautiful when they aren't afraid to show their intellectualism." - Troy D. (Los Lunas, New Mexico)

"Women can absolutely be strong and be fighters and do all these things men can do, but what is remarkable is all the things they can do that men cannot do and all the things they are that men aren't. Women can be tender and lovely and incredibly caring. My grandmother is a good example. Her husband (my grandfather) served in Korea and she stayed here [in the US] and kept things going. My grandfather died of ALS so she is now a widow. She is also a breast cancer survivor. I'm always amazed at how she is strong, resolute, and steadfast, but also incredibly caring and loving as well...[My mom also] has this amazing sense of right and wrong and never compromised in it." - Miles (Davidson, North Carolina)

"I like how my little sister has accomplished a ridiculous amount already. She is a true Renaissance woman and although I'm older and taller, I look up to her." - Troy C. (Orlando, Florida)

"Women, as men, have been an important part of our history and present lives. Maleness has been the angular stone of our vision of the world. But now things are changing for the best of our human behavior. Girls and woman are empowering themselves without needing the permission of anybody else. This is not a thing that rises from one day to another but with centuries of woman that respected themselves and took up the reins of their horses for the common good. Women like Helen Keller, who said: "Never bend your head. Hold it high, look the world straight in the eye", Mercy Otis Warren on the formation of the United States: "Taxation without representation is tyranny" and Blanca Canales on the liberation of Puerto Rico: "We must continue although we take a hundred years". These women with courage, respect and perseverance had a soul full of bravery that only self esteem can give, making the history that we know and helping us to walk the path of a better world." - William (Juncos, Puerto Rico)

"I think that what I like most about women is their ability to forgive you so freely without reservation, love you so unconditionally even when you don't deserve it, and serve you so fully even when you don't serve them. They provide a safe place for you to confide true thoughts and always believe in you even if you've given up on yourself." - Ethan (Colton, Oregon)

The final quote comes from the unique perspective of a spectacular guy I met in college. He just finished his first year at Catholic seminary and summed up everything that women are in a beautiful way.

"You are strong. You are confronted and deal with so much pressure and criticism every day. Most of it is never direct, but implied. And you handle it with grace and composure. You may already know it, but it is good to hear it from a brother: you are smart, you are kind, you are beautiful. You challenge me to be a better man just by your way of being." -Zach (St. Petersburg, Florida)

So to all the women out there who think that men don't appreciate both your inner and outer beauty, I tell you to keep looking. Because the good guys are out there. In fact, they are all over the country, and they know you're beautiful.