To the men in my life...

I have a lot of girl friends. 

A LOT. 

Girl friends are great. We love to be silly, talk a lot, and give each other hugs and compliments. And while I'm gung-ho about being an independent lady, I must admit that there is something inside of me that craves affirmation from guys (which could be said of a lot of girls, I think). 

I was blessed to grow up with a father who read me bedtime stories, a brother who spent time with me, and men who treated me like a lady--but a lot of girls don't have that. 

For the men in my life, the men I love and respect, this is a blog of thanks. 

Thank you for being awesome. 

Thank you for not making me feel like I have to look like the images of women I'm bombarded with every day. Thank you for not treating me like an object. 

Thank you for elaborating your manly-man stories with sound effects and hand gestures, because that makes them more exciting. Thank you for making me laugh.

Thank you for opening doors, carrying bags, and getting things for me, even though I can do those things myself. 

Thank you for showing me that I'm valued and special just the way I am. 

Thank you for being excited about the things I cook, because it makes me feel like a food master.

Thank you for reminding me not to take myself too seriously and overanalyze EVERY. SINGLE. THING.

Thank you for asking for my advice. 

Thank you for saying and doing ridiculous, unexpected things.

Thank you for telling me that I smell nice, look nice, sound nice, or act nice. I feel like I get extra points if you say those things when I didn't even try.

Thank you for spending time with me--whether that's sending a text saying "WORD UP--I just ninja'd a BUG" or driving eight hours to visit me.

Thank you for asking me to dance instead of making me sit on the sidelines, wondering why I put on makeup and a dress just to watch other people hold each other. And thank you for dressing up--you guys look nice in suits.

Thank you for brushing your teeth, taking showers, and wearing deodorant every day. I know it's hard.

Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even if they don't make sense.

Thank you for secretly liking Disney movies.

Thank you for walking me to my car when it's dark because, yes, it somehow makes me feel safer.

Thank you for respecting not just me, but all the women in your life. For taking us out to dinner, giving us hugs and high-fives, telling us we're pretty, cheering us on, loving us well, and teaching your sons to treat us the same way. Thank you for proving me wrong on the days that I want to believe that all men are bad. Thank you for pointing me to Christ.

You guys are great. Really.