Blessed people tend to take things for granted; their homes, their education, food on the table, and even their friends. Growing up, it's difficult to think about and be thankful for all the things that you have been given. Personally, going off to college has taught me one thing - count your blessings. In my case, I came to realize that having a man as your best friend is one of the greatest blessings one can receive as a woman, and here are five reasons why:
1. You don't have to impress him.
Being surrounded by attractive guys (especially in college) is no easy feat. Whether you’re doing it consciously or not, you’re most likely going to try to present yourself in your best light: you dress nicely, do your hair/makeup, etc. When you have a male best friend, all of those necessities get thrown out the window. You could be in sweatpants that are ten sizes too large, a sweatshirt that you can get away with not wearing a bra under, and bedhead; and guess what? He won’t mind, much less judge you for looking like you were born in a trash can. He’ll still treat you like the wonderful person you are. But when you do look like you’re en route to prom, he does not hesitate to let his jaw will drop to the floor, and despite the platonic relationship, he’ll still make you feel like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.
2. You always have a fake boyfriend, if necessary.
Let’s face it: guys are not always the best things to be around. Some are too handsy, others are disloyal, and some are just plain creepy. Whenever these are the case, use the fact that literally everyone thinks you’re dating to your advantage: hold hands, look at each other like you’re in love, and hug each other constantly. You already do it more often than you think, so act like a couple, and it will be very believable because the chemistry between you two is already there.
3. NO DRAMA WHATSOEVER.
As a woman who HATES drama, being within a one-foot radius of it is a huge no-no. If you have had a male best friend for at least the last seven-plus years, you’ll definitely notice how he contributes little-to-no drama into your life. It’s such a refreshing change of pace from hanging around your girl-friends, where conversations often consist of gossip and boys, which combined, increase your blood pressure tenfold. On top of that, guys have such a simplistic and straightforward view of things, and it can make you realize how often you hyper-analyze and overthink. In most circumstances, your guy best friend is the best person to come to because he somehow knows how to put a smile on your face, and make you feel that everything will be okay.
4. He listens, even though he might not give (decent) advice at all.
As mentioned earlier, guys are simple creatures. If you need advice, you’re better off consulting your best girl-friend because she'll always know what to say no matter what the situation. Hilariously enough, guys suck at giving advice, and sometimes, this plays to your advantage. If you’ve had a rough day and just need to kvetch and schvitz into the next century, he’ll be there, and trust me, he will actually listen to you because he genuinely gives a hoot about you, and how he can make you feel better. Sometimes, feeling like you’re talking to a wall is the best medicine, and guys tend to do an immaculate job at that.
5. He'll always love you.
Through thick and thin, for better or for worse, your guy best friend will love you eternally. Good day or bad, whether you’re look stunning or not so much, he will love you like no other, and treat you the way every woman deserves to be treated.
So, ladies, start thanking your male bestie much more often. He’s got you this far, and he most likely won’t be leaving your side any time soon. He’s seen you through it all, and after all this time, he’s chosen to stay with you. He’s a keeper of all kinds, and make sure you never forget to remind him of how much you love and appreciate him.
