24 years old. I am 24 years old and growing up I was never the girl with the boy friends. I had one or two guys that were my friends and the rest were strictly my girls. Guys didn’t approach me or show an interest in being my friend, so, to be honest, I really didn’t have much of a choice. I had girls, and I was grateful for that.

I went to college and things began to shift. Guys actually wanted to be my friend, and I didn’t really know what that looked like. I was happy because I always wanted more male friends, but I won’t lie, navigating the mind and intentions of boys in Bible college proved to make my life interesting. I learned what it means to have a friendship with a guy, and it was fun and helpful for me. I still was the girl with mostly male friends, though. I assumed that at this age I would remain this way, but I was completely wrong.

I graduated college and started working at my church, and since at the time there weren’t many girls my age around, I was constantly around boys. Then, all of a sudden, I became what I never thought I would become, “one of the guys”. The more days that pass, the more time I spent and the more these friendships developed. They weren’t always easy, but I fully believe they were worth it, and here’s why:

I’m always well taken care of.

Whether it’s holding a door, buying coffee or setting up a TV, I always have someone there to depend on. This is in no way to sound spoiled, but appreciative. Not many girls get the opportunity to have a bunch of kind men around that want to offer their help because they care about you, not to get something from you. It’s a blessing and when they aren’t around, I definitely notice.

I’m well protected.

The world is rough, and I can be completely oblivious at times, if I were to be honest. Whether it’s walking down the street and having a second set of eyes, or having a guy friend look at me straight in the face and say, “What you are going to do is not a wise choice,” I can rest secure knowing that there’s someone looking out for me. That makes my Dad happy too, so it’s a win-win.

They’re a hug & voice of encouragement on the hard days.

Some days just genuinely suck. Whether it’s stress at work, or my own anxiety that bugs me, I know a simple text message puts them on alert and they are there to talk to me, love me and pray for me. Plus, I get some great hugs when I need a little extra comfort.

They aren’t afraid to bluntly tell me when I’m screwing up.

Sometimes gracefully, mostly very straight forward, I know that when I start to drift off into “la la land” and compromise myself, my faith or my heart, they are there to reel me in and give me the “talk” that I need to have. They do it just because they care, and it’s great to have them to speak truth to me from a place of love.

They constantly make me laugh.

While their 12-year-old boy jokes and farting sometimes make me want to jump off a bridge, I get a great laugh. They are shameless and confident and they aren’t afraid to be 100% who they are and say what they’re thinking (which, c’mon, they’re boys, it’s always one ridiculous thing after the next).

They are a daily reminder to never settle for less than I deserve.

I am quick to settle. I tend to accept the bare minimum from people. Luckily for me, their presence in my life and their love for me serves as an example of exactly what I deserve.

So, here’s to my boys. The ones that constantly show me love and care and see me for who I am and somehow find that cool. And here’s to the girls. The ones that are just like me, that are one of the guys, and are loving and appreciating every moment of it.