Sometimes it is difficult for people to understand that a girl can have a guy friend that is nothing more than a friend. I dealt with this problem a lot in high school until I suddenly found myself with about eight close male friends senior year of high school. Since it would have been absurd for someone to say I was dating all eight of them at once, people just accepted that I was one of those girls that had a lot of guy friends.

A couple of these guys were my age, guys I had the privilege of sitting next to in class and got to know really well. The rest were a mix of sophomores - some were fellow musical cast mates, some were my friends' siblings, and some were friends of my friends that I just got along with pretty well. I can't really say for sure why these guys wanted to be friends with me, but one thing I do know is that being friends with them has definitely had an impact on my life.

These are the boys that loved me first, and outside of my family, they're the ones that have loved me the most.

In a way, I feel bad for the man that ends up with me because he'll have to live up to the standard that these guys have set. No guy that I've met has understood me as well as these guys. They never tear me down, only build me up and abolish any self-doubt that I have. None have made me smile and laugh to the point of tears like they have. They make an effort to see me when I'm home and to talk to me when I'm not, and when I'm with them they give me the undivided attention and genuine interest that everyone dreams of and deserves. They would throw my trash away for me at lunch, offered me moral support when I had important things coming up, and I could always count on them for hugs when I was feeling down. These boys treated me like a queen, so how can I accept less from anyone else?

Not only did my boys show me how it feels to be loved, they showed me what it takes to love someone. In being shown how a woman should be treated, I learned how to show a man that same respect and admiration. When my boys had band performances, I was their number one fan out in the audience. When they were feeling down, I was sure to return their hugs with all of the warmth and support they offered me in my times of need. During school hours I was somewhat of a mother figure (one of them calls me "Mom" to this day), always pushing them to be the best that they could be and to see the potential they had within them. I've been their confidant, letting them vent to me about whatever was bothering them and holding them if they needed to cry. I was happy to be there for these guys, and only hope that I've made them feel as loved and appreciated as they've made me feel. A lot of times it's expected for a man to treat his woman like a queen, but it's often forgotten that a good man deserves the royal treatment as well.

My outlook on relationships will be forever changed because I had the privilege of knowing these outstanding young men. They showed me there are good men out there in this crazy world of dating, and that I shouldn't settle for anything less than the genuine love and respect that they gave me. They also showed me that in order for a woman to be treated like the queen that she is, she must treat her partner like an equal, not a peasant. In my opinion, a successful relationship strikes the right balance between give and take. Boys, I can't thank you enough for all that I have taken away from our friendship, and I hope that I have given you as lasting of a memory. The women that end up with you are some of the luckiest women in the world, and I will forever be grateful to have your friendship and affection.