Can We Be Just FRIENDS!

I know they say that men and woman can't be just friends, but i think that it's possible to have a strictly platonic relationship with the opposite sex. I have several male friends in my life that I've never had NO type of sexual relationship with, but i have 3 really close male friends (Alvynn, Shawn, & Vince) that are very close to me, would do anything for these 3 guys, and they would do ANYTHING for me. Yesterday i get an inbox from one of my close male friends that blew my mind. He started off  by saying "I'm sure your going to delete me after i say this". I automatically paused for a minuet. This guy is someone that i would talk to on a daily basis, and he would always come to me for advice about his kids mom, and i would always try and give him the best advice as possible. I admired the way he took care of his twin boys, and the way he tried to keep his family together. He's a very good looking guy, younger then myself, but his mindset is very mature. Anyways i proceeded to read his message, and he began to tell me how much he liked me, and how he wish i would give him a chance. He felt like the others didn't deserve me, and he's been there, but i over looked him. I couldn't believe what i was reading. I almost wished he didn't tell me that. He's my friend and a great one at that. Now that i know how he truly feels about me, how do we proceed with our friendship? I value our friendship. I just hope that the way he feels about me doesn't affect our friendship :( So my question is can Men, and Woman really be JUST FRIENDS? I would like to think that we can, but sometimes the HEART KNOWS BETTER:)