Best friends Vs boyfriends question

Here's my problem, there is this guy that I have been in love with for a few years now and he loves me too, where not dating and where both single. where best friends and we pick up where we leave off every time if we Don't see each other for a while . And we are beyond sexually attracted to each other, everytime we make love it just is mind boggles because we love the same things and are soo open to each other and haven't been able to; to anyone else before. I guess I'm my eyes it's Just the perfect sexual relationship with someone that you could have. But the problem is my best friends absolutely hate him, they Don't like seeing me with him. And don't get what I see in him. that's what's preventing us from being in a relationship, I don't want my friends to hate the guy I want to be with for forever the guy I love. they think he's a dick and rude and that only thinks about himself. But he's not and he doesn't, they didn't get to see that side of him that I have in the past 4 years to understand that he is a awesome kind hearted guy that would do anything for his lady. What do I do, I don't want to loose either.