This One's For the Boys

I was browsing Pinterest the other day and came across this: 

....are the ones worth waiting for.

Whoever made that list is seriously my mind twin or something.

Every girl has (at least once) made a list of what they want in a guy. I know I've made several of these types of lists, and the qualities change as I've changed and grown as a person. One thing I love about this list though, is that it's not too specific or picky. Obviously you're not going to find a guy with every single quality on your list, at least at first. (Honestly if I did, I'd be afraid to look at him, he'd be too perfect). I adore this list because it gives room to grow and develop, and that's how most relationships are anyway, at least the good ones. Also, I may or may not know a Certain Boy who has 15 (that I for sure know about) out of the 20 qualities mentioned on this list. And that's pretty dang good. But I'll tell that story another day.

I was thinking earlier today just how lucky I have been in the male friends department. Actually, I've been lucky with all the men in my life. My Dad has been one of my greatest examples and I don't know what I would do with out him. He has taught me so much about what kind of man I want to marry, but also about what kind of person I want to be. He has shown me the way a man should treat a woman by the way he treats my Mom. He is such a hard worker and does so much for me and my family, and I could not be more blessed. I have also been blessed with an amazing little brother, who actually just got the Priesthood today. It's still crazy to me how fast he's grown up (he's almost taller than me!) and how smart and funny he is. 12 year-old ladies, watch out for this stud! 

Going back to the wonderful guy friends that I have, I am seriously amazed every day by them. They are all great examples to me, especially as they are all preparing to go on missions and serve the Lord for two years. The letters I get from them are full of light and hope and I thank my Father in Heaven every single day for putting them in my life. They have proved to me that there really are good guys out there, guys who you can confide in, and will also confide in you. They are smart, funny, talented, good looking, kind, generous and willing to do almost anything for me. 

One especially memorable instance happened this past Winter Semester. I was having an especially difficult week, things with that Certain Boy weren't going well, and I was stressing out about Finals and my upcoming Proficiency Audition. Long story short, I ended up having a breakdown in the lobby of a few of my guy friend's dorm. These amazing guy friends of mine not only listened to me tell them the same worries and heartbreaks I'd been talking about all week, but they literally picked me up off the floor and reassured me that everything would be okay and that I would make it. They also made up a song for me to the tune of "You are my Sunshine". I'm sure they have no idea how much that meant to me. That night I thanked my Father in Heaven for sending such amazing young men to be my friends. And that's just one instance out of hundreds that I could be talking about. 

From them I have learned incredible lessons about what friendship, integrity, happiness and fun are all about. They know how to make me laugh when I'm on the verge of tears and they usually know exactly what I need to hear, even if I don't like it. They have lifted me up when I couldn't do it myself, and have shed light on situations that I was still in the dark about. It's really incredible to think of all the little ways they have impacted my life. I just hope I've been able to have the same positive effect on them. And yes, we've had our bad days and we don't always agree on everything but you know, at the end of the day we're still friends despite our differences, and that is REAL friendship. 

It's kind of weird lately because, like I mentioned above, they're all leaving, or have already left, on missions and I won't be seeing them for two whole years. Part of me wonders how I'm going to make it with out knowing they're all right there to have my back, but I know that they're going where they need to go and doing the things that they need to be doing. I love each and every one of them and I know that they have great things in store for them. 

In one of my favorite musicals there is a part that goes:  

I've heard it said, that people come into your life for a reason

bringing something you must learn

and we are led to those who help us most to grow

if we let them--

and we help them in return.....

I honestly believe this with all my heart. I have living proof, and I've learned and grown so, SO much from my friendships with these guys. So if any of you guys are reading this, just know that I love you, and that I'm so grateful for you and the impact you've had on my life. I am seriously the luckiest girl in the world! And it's all thanks to you.

Because I knew you.....

I have been changed 

For Good. 

Love, Brontё