Friends you call on in a crisis, who you would do anything for and will be in your life for a long time sort of friends
I have and I really count myself lucky. While I was slicing potatoes before (?) I was trying to think how many hitchers I have met, I lost count but I'm guessing around 30-40 and more to add on a few weeks! Quite of these folks have really become close friends and a small group who I would count as my best friends (well one of them brought me to hitched and the others I met here.) Because of my health and the fact I've never worked, not really able for night school etc, I've not met many friends 'in real life' so I'm very thankful for my weirdie friends!
I have little groups of friends in my head; My really close friends, Edinburgh, North West, London, Flickr, good old 'direct from hitched' friends and people I really want to meet. There is some crossing over, obviously. ? I really dread to think what my life would be like without this place.
So, what about you?