College and 20Something-dom can be a tricky place to navigate friendships with guys. Having gone to school in the South, for the most part girls are looking for their MRS, and the guys… well let’s just say they sought out something a little more casual. In college, it seems that everyone is a “potential candidate” for a romantic relationship. All of that aside, I still think it is very possible for men and women to be just friends. I know so because my best friend from college is a guy.

My relationships with my best guy friends have helped me to grow into a more relaxed and self-confident woman. Guys react to situations differently than women do, from observing how my best friend responded to certain circumstances I was able to adapt a little of that from him. When little things happen, there is no need to make a mountain of a molehill; I never realized I could handle things so steadily by just mimicking his behavior.

Men are the other half of this planet.

It’s important to understand how they tick for the simple reason that they are living in this world with us! Learning about the male species does not only benefit us romantically. I have absorbed so much from my best friend that has helped me to appreciate my brothers and dad greater. Talking to my guy friend Jay and picking the male brain allowed me to recognize why my brothers treated me the way they did at times or even a healthier understand of how my dad feels after a long day of work. Jay helped me to recognize insecurities that men have too that I had never been aware of before, and helped me to be more compassionate when dealing with my own family members.

Four reasons why I love my best guy friend

My best guy friend is 180 degrees opposite of my best girl friend and that’s what makes me love him so much.

He never, ever judges me for a relationship issue. Whereas my girl friends may get upset or even angry with me for past mistakes that have been made, Jay choses to keep his judgments to himself and only provide support.
That being said, he is a firm believer of tough love. He would never knock me while I’m down but he certainly knows how to tell it as it is. This is in respect to any situation whether it is a boyfriend, my outfit choice or academia.
He never let me dwell on things too long. Most girls understand when hard times hit; Netflix and cupcakes can become our best friends. He is a believer in taking the mind off of these things, whether it was heading to his house to watch sports or taking a trip to the beach I was always occupied to help focus on letting the good things come in.
Up until recently we were both single, he now has a girlfriend (whom I adore). However, that meant in college I had a go-to date for every sorority function. All of my sisters knew Jay because he was at 90% of our date parties and formals. Not to mention the time we were dates for Valentine’s Day and paid for each other’s meals. I never had to set foot anywhere alone in college if I didn’t want to and for that, I am grateful.

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