I was blessed with probably the best girl friends around. I have some that live down the road from me, in the county next to me or states away. I stay in touch with many girls and have had the opportunity to be part of many of their important moments in life. I wouldn't trade my girls for anything.

Even though I have the best girl friends anyone could want, I am also blessed with the best guy friends around.

Since I was in grade schools, I became interested in sports, playing in the dirt and watching football. I was always found on the soccer field during recess trying to remind the guys that girls can play too. Grade school was just the start of being one of the guys, as in seventh grade, I was the only girl invited to an all boys birthday party, I went to dances with my guy friends as my dates and the nights of my junior year having all the boys over every Saturday to hang out.

College brought me even closer to a few guys including one of them listening to me as I got my heart broken for the first time and daily phone calls to make sure I was okay. Eventually I took the mom status in the group of making sure everyone was okay just as much as they made sure I was. Memories like these are some I always look back and laugh about.

As I have gotten older, I have continued to grow relationships with many amazing men. I am now in my professional career and have become close to a few guys that have come along my path. As much as they torture me with ruining dates for me and the daily jokes, they have taught me things that none of my girls friends ever would be able to.

1. What I want in a future relationship

They have taught me what I want in someone in the future, what I can handle, what type of qualities I want that person and how I never want to settle for less. I always thought I knew what I wanted but as I have grown and met more men that became my friends, I learned so much. They have taught me that I can have all of what I want and never to settle for anything less.

2. That laughter is the best medicine for any situation

One thing is for certain, my guy friends have taught me how to laugh in any situation handed to me. I have always heard the saying laughter is the best medicine but it really is. They have taught me to laugh through the tears, find the sarcasm in all the craziness and to make the most out of the situations. I envy many of them as they are able to shrug so many things off and have a great time. Regardless how they may be feeling, they make the most out of everything.

3. Every guy is a jerk at some point

Every guy has their jerk moments. There is really no other way to explain that because they have them. You may think your sweet kind guy won't ever be like that, he will. They all have their moments just like we have our moments, so don't expect a guy to be perfect all the time unless you plan to be.

4. They have no idea what they are doing either

It is true ladies. I promise you. They are trying to navigate life just as much as we are. They seem to have it more figured out than us but it is also that they just handle situations differently than we do. I hope you are all reading this with a sign of relief that they are trying to figure it out just as much as we are.

5. They have huge hearts

I would be the worst person if I didn't say under all those jerk moves, the jerk comments and the craziness they cause, they have huge hearts. From letting me cry in their arms over a lost love, to listening to me about my struggles, to walking us girls home at night to helping those in need - they do it!

6. They always do what they want

They are so good at making sure they put what they do first. I know many women find this selfish and in some instances it is but it is also something we should follow. They are always striving to do their best and they are willing to put that stuff first to make the next step. We should always do the same too.

7. They always have your back

I will be the first to say, I have had my guy friends ruin me getting a drink from a guy for the evening or a potential date. However, no matter what they have done, I would not trade them for the world. They have had my back since day one and I will always be grateful for that. Many of us go through a lot of different things and I have always had them be there for me and stand up for me when needed.

8. Guys have Mood Swings too but know how to handle them

Men have a way of being able to use "it's her time of the month" whenever we get angry or in a weird mood, however men are just as bad. I promise they have mood swings too, however I learned very fast how to deal with them. Girls always want to fix the problem and over communicate when a guy is being moody however sometimes the best thing to do is just let them be moody and leave them alone, I mean you have other things to do anyways so go handle your own stuff.

I am a huge supporter of women helping women and women focusing on loving themselves, so that is why having men in your life that can teach you as well is so important.

Through every experience, I see so much good in everything these men have taught me.