Dear boys.. wait, I mean men,

I'm going to be upfront and say that I have to admit I was a little bit on edge about what my boyfriend might become after living in one house with fifty guys and zero rules. I had seen the movies and heard all the slightly disturbing stereotypes of "frat boys." Now, I'm not saying that I expected to see a group of boys drenched in Polo cologne with popped collars and wearing as much Southern Tide/Vineyard Vines as they could fit on their bodies. But I will say this, I definitely was not expecting to meet a group of guys where one is completely different from another, where each of you stand out for something different, whether it's the artsy guitar guy with great taste in shoes (no matter what they tell you) or the one with the hair that beats the color of any carrot.

What I didn't get from the movies and the stereotypes was that these men would be the most welcoming, warm, and ridiculous group of guys I will ever know. When I first came to visit my boyfriend at his fraternity house, I thought I would be meeting his pledge brothers. Well, it turned out that I was meeting some of my closest friends.

So this one's for all of you guys. For always saying hi when I come over, for being brutally honest with me no matter what the reason (Matt and Conner-- I'm calling you out), for giving me ridiculous nicknames, and for most importantly treating me like a friend rather than "Bo's girlfriend."

I used to feel like I couldn't just hang out unless my boyfriend was around, fearful that I would step on toes and be "that girl." Thanks for making me feel at home guys, I now have no problem just poppin' a squat on any of your Craigslist futons (gross, yet surprisingly comfy.)

I guess you could even go as far to say that my expectations were not met at all. No, I did not expect my boyfriend to find pledge brothers as wonderful as all of you; and even more so, I did not expect to find fifty-best-of-the-best-guy-friends under one roof. From picking me up and getting McDoubles when I need one... or five (cough-cough Will Kemp), to trying to survive Economics, you guys have been the best. So a final thank you: for always supporting me when I have a new article come out, for making me feel at home in a frat house (which is nearly impossible), for letting me cuddle the beloved house hamster, and for treating me as a friend--rather than your brother's girlfriend.

Love, your friend,

Allie