Growing up, I always seemed to click with my guy friends more than my girl pals. Did I want to play trains with the boys or Barbies? I had a full Thomas the Tank Engine set, even the train table. Did I really want to get muddy? I had a fascination with bugs; when it rained, I would watch the storm with my dad, racing to "save" worms off the driveway between lightning strikes. This is not to say that I never enjoyed playing dress up or hanging out with the other girls, but somehow I never seemed to misspeak as badly around the guys. I didn't feel the need to check every word coming out of my mouth when with them.

As I got into high school, I found myself with a group of friends. While I really enjoyed my friendships with the girls, the guys began to feel almost like the big brothers I never had. I've kept in touch with the whole group, but when I need advice or I need to vent to a friend, I reach out to the guys.

I know it is rare to find a best friend of the opposite gender when you're both straight, but it's not impossible. At 2 a.m. when my world seems upside down, I know that it only takes an "Are you up? Can I call?" text until I can hear my best friend's voice from several states away. When I am feeling emotional about a fight or a bad day, I know it takes a simple message, and I've got my guys' advice and support. They've played with my hair while watching movies and listened to me rant and cry when relationships are going south. I've done the same for them.

I certainly love them, but we've never had to navigate the uncomfortable "are we going to or not?" of almost-relationships. As one of them put it, I'm "basically not even a girl." A request for clarification led to a simple "we're so close I could never see you as anything other than my best friend." So yes, straight girls and guys who are both single can be best friends. My guys are my ride-or-die's, and I could not be more thankful for the friendship we have.