Watching a guy sacrifice his ego to sweep a girl off her feet might be one of the most beautiful things to witness.

It’s not always in the way you imagined it would be either.

Kev once shared this quote with me:

“Don’t trust charming. Why? Because the boy who can talk all the right words knows it too well. Things like boys and love aren’t meant to be practiced like that, it should be a bit awkward; it should be raw.”

Now, Kev was a smooth talker and obviously he used this to his advantage. When it came to me, however, that bullshit didn’t fly. He quickly learned that I don’t buy into that crap. Kevin could have to spit his game all day long, but there was only one thing that would convince me he was serious: Time.

To me, a guy’s words mean nothing until he proves them. He used to get so frustrated and tell me, “I just can’t get a good read on you. I feel like you don’t believe that I really am interested in you.” My response was always the same, “Tough and prove it.”

Despite my best efforts to push him away, Kev did many things to prove himself.

He would call me each day and would do his best to get to know me. Our conversations began to become longer as we connected. I remember thinking man this kid wants to know EVERYTHING about me. I even remember after one conversation I said that my Tuesday had made me want a shot of Crowne. The next weekend he showed up with a whole bottle at my door. It was cute and small, but to me, it showed he listened.

When I met up with Kev and his friends he would always make an effort to spend time with me. Not being “too cool” because other people saw he was trying to pursue me. Hell, he wanted everyone to know. Not to mention he wasn’t “too cool” to be a complete idiot to me. I feel like you reach a certain level with someone when you can sing boy band lyrics together at the top of your lungs.

His friends also helped by telling me he was serious. Not just his friends, but his family too. He had a lot of people in his corner. Something about a guy telling his friends his true intentions made me take notice.

But the one thing he did that really stood out to me happened on my birthday. He met up with MY friends to celebrate MY birthday in Hattiesburg, MS. What guy drives from New Orleans, LA to Hattiesburg, MS to hang with a bunch of girls if he isn’t committed?

Oh – and that “smooth talker” …. he was a complete nervous wreck around me. He was honest and raw and it made me fall head over heels. I will always admire how he pursued me. Slowly and deliberately. Not just to get me in a relationship, but long after we started dating. My Grandpop always told me that the secret to a successful relationship is to never stop chasing the girl. Kevin never did.

So, when I see my friends make bold moves for girls like having flowers sent to her work or giving a girl a PHONE CALL or inviting a girl to a concert on a whim or sending their wives to the spa or cleaning the whole house without asking, it just makes my heart smile. We are at an age when genuine intentions matter. Skip the bullshit and SHOW her how you care.

I believe it exists because I have seen it first hand and I know the power it holds.

So here’s to the guys that go after the girl with all that they have and to the girls that demand nothing less!

Till Next Time.