The Boyfriend Game

Let's play a fun game. 

It's called "Laura's New Boyfriend".

Guess which one of these lucky young men has the privilege of being my current arm candy:

If you guessed the charmer in the last photo, you may be onto something.

These days, I get a certain line a lot.

"Is there something going on between you and [insert name of boy I've been pictured with on facebook]? He's cute!"

I've gotten this question so much, in fact, that I'm beginning to think I live a life of mystery and intrigue.
I was unaware that my love life was so interesting, especially if taking pictures with someone suddenly means I'm dating them.
If that's the case, I could almost write a book series.

Love and Ice Cream, a Tale of Facebook Fantasy
Secret Social Media Scandals
The Alluring Laura's Cyber Shenanigans
Destiny at Break of Status Update
The Like of Love

Just kidding--upon second glance I don't think I'd buy any of those books.

But having pictures with boys means that I really get around, right?
I'm a hot item.
A grand commodity.
A lovely piece of lovableness.

LET'S GET REAL, y'all.

Other than my March-April stint in Mongolia, I've spent the last year working at a gynecologist office and a school.
The only men I saw on a daily basis were my father, other people's creepy boyfriends, and a couple of guy teachers who sometimes sat in the staff lunchroom.

So Laura's life? WOMEN. EVERYWHERE.
Accessories, compliments, selfies, giggling, drama, heart-sharing, Disney movies, chocolate, hair products, shoes, and youtube videos of Channing Tatum.

I do like all of these things.

But between the ladies at work and having a lot of girl friends (all of whom I love and adore), it's such a breath of fresh air to be able to spend time with guy friends.

My list of good man-friends is not very long, but I treasure each person on it.
They are the guys who make me laugh by being ridiculous, who help me de-stress by not acting like everything is a big deal, and who remind me that I'm valuable because I'm Laura and not because I'm a pretty single lady.

They are also the guys who raise the bar for my romantic expectations, because, SHOOT, if the guy I'm interested in isn't as great as they are, then what's the point of dating him?

This stage of life won't last forever.
One day we may not talk anymore because of distance, distractions, or significant others.
For now, though, these boys are a gift to me.
They show me that I'm worth a lot--in their own, special, boyish ways, of course.

So the answer to "Laura's New Boyfriend"?
NONE OF THOSE PICTURED ABOVE.
Or anybody else, for that matter.
I just take a lot of pictures with my friends.

It doesn't mean I haven't been interested in anyone over the last few years.
I am a girl, after all, and feelings are our area of expertise.
It also doesn't mean that I hate the "Who's the hottie in your pictures??" questions, because that means I pick good-looking friends.
I just don't want to look like a facebook floozy because of friendly photographs.
(I tried the whole "not putting an arm around the other person and standing with space in-between" picture set up, and it usually looks like we hate each other. Bad picture material.)

Besides, y'all.
If I had a boyfriend, I PROMISE you would know.

(Taken in my younger, less wise days.)