My boyfriends friends...

So I haven’t been able to get something off my mind. It’s been bothering me every day since it has happened and it is affecting my peace....

Growing up I lived in a household that never showed affection and 0 I love you. I’m 27 now so I’m used to it. But it definitely has affected me in relationships. My boyfriend of a year and a half understands that affection isn’t my thing. I don’t always want to be touched or loved on but we never go without saying I love you, regardless. And it works for us....

His friends have made comments about the lack of affection I give behind my back and/or to him.

They have also made comments to him about how disrespectful I am towards him because I do not allow to be controlled and he does not even try and control me. See, his friends believe that a woman should bow down to them (as their wives do) and that is just not me. I am not a submissive woman and my boyfriend knows that and he has said that is one of the characteristics that he fell in love with. My dad always taught me that I want a man I don’t need a man. I was not meant to be with a man who expects me to be anything less than who I am.

I made this clear to him before we ever got fully involved and he has accepted all of this. Even my parents have told them I am a strong, independent woman and if he was the right man for me he will embrace it and not ask me to change. And trust me he has accepted it and literally treats me like a queen.

I just can’t help but feel some type of way though. He did stick up for me with his friends and tell them that he is in my corner and always will be and that I am a very independent woman and I will never be their wives and that our relationships works perfectly because of our understanding to each other.

But I’m at this point where I don’t even want to be around his friends anymore. My feelings are hurt and I feel unworthy of my boyfriend because of how they made me feel.

I just don’t know what to do.