I grew up in a time when the world simply wasn't large enough for a serious dating relationship and female friends. I really don't think time has changed this precept. It's not so much that women can't be trusted; but more so, it's that the effort required in juggling your newfound love and best chum most often results in having to decide between the two.  Wisdom has taught me that the chances of meeting new female friends are far greater than meeting a lifelong love interest. It's unfortunate, but far too often, "loyal" women friends have a tendency to covet what's not theirs; and may even find themselves inexplicably disrespecting and belittling you in front of the new guy; while subtly daring to vye for the attention of your interest right in your presence.  Life's a lot simpler if you keep the two separate. For a reason that pretty much boils down to envy, female friends tend to get a little more "catty" when they know someone special has shown a serious interest in you.  Don't be fooled.  Don't waste any sleep. Make it crystal clear to all the girls who kept you from being bored on Saturday nights, that the odds of them winning if you have to choose between your beau and them are slim to none. Afterall, if it were them with the prospect of a forever-after love, you'd be on the losing end of time spent. In keeping it real,  that's how it should be.  Afterall, if this happens to be a real love that culminates into marriage, time spent with these female gal pals will significantly dissipate anyway. Life has taught me that friendships are like the wind. They come and they go. And the best ones are those that reflect who you are at any given moment in time. It's really not very common that a childhood best friend will still be your best pal in high school; or a college friend will, for any real distance, grow in the same direction as you on graduating and entering the working world. With the odds being 12 males to every one female; a God-respecting guy who's desirous of spending the rest of his life with you as a husband and father of your children should make the choice a no-brainer. I smile as I pause to reflect on the argument female friends try to make. They were there before he was. Yes, that may be true. But if they in any way violated the laws of respecting you; whether he's there forever or only for months, them showing their true colors by clawing at what wasn't theirs makes it crystal clear they're really not someone you want to call friend, anyway. I don't believe in burning bridges; but, I do believe in keeping priorities in order. True love is a gift from God that for some never comes. If you believe it's shadowed your path, keep it pure; and never cross the line of what would bring God glory. Sex outside of marriage will not glorify God. Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse will not bring glory to God. 1Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5 would be good reading for starts.