Find a balance between friendships and dating

“Bros before hoes” has been a popular saying amongst every bro ever born since the first person called “bro.” I can’t help but agree and disagree with this phrase because it holds some truth to it, yet I find others apply it to their lives improperly.

Bros before hoes, as far as I can remember, dates back to around 2007 when I was a junior in high school. As a small school in Nebraska, everyone knows everybody and everything that goes on. I was not introduced to this “bro” concept until I got a chance to hang with Kyle during my senior year in high school, who is now one of my closest friends.

He found his significant other in high school and is still with her, yet manages to find time for me when I come to visit him or when he happens to be in my area, even four years after high school. That is a true bro.

My roommate and I hang out every day and have real conversations, and take time out of our busy schedules to have a “bro night,” which usually consists of drinking the occasional beer and playing video games, or watching action or comedy movies.

Men aren’t the only ones who have this connection, though. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that ladies.

To be honest, I am not sure what girls call each other, but I have overheard a few different girls calling each other up and saying, “What’s up, skank/hoe?” Something along those lines.

To remain only as a bro, or whatever the equivalent is for girls, is terrible. Now is the time, as college students, for us to make mistakes and live our lives to the fullest by experiencing anything and everything that we won’t have the chance to later on in life, but don’t hang onto the “bros before hoes” concept too much.

If you hang on that for too long, you’ll find that you are missing out on so many other opportunities. If I, for example, have a date planned for this Friday I am not going to ditch out on that just for time with my bros.

I know it’s a crazy idea that makes me seem unhinged, but drop your stereotypes for a second and focus on this thought.

My close friends mean everything in the world to me, and while I’m sure everyone else feels the same way there’s no reason why you should choose between hanging with your girl or hanging  out with your bros, especially if they don’t get along. But if you manage your time better, then you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it.

I’ve had plenty of relationships, and have seen plenty of them from the referee perspective, to completely understand what “bros before hoes” really means. It means that your true bros will look out for you and will always be there for you. And yet, they understand that as life goes on, you have other obligations, whether it’s your job, school, or a new girl you’re trying to get to know better.