To ask if you have people in your life who are like family?

[PandaWorld]

But not actually family by blood ?

We’re a family by adoption, so lots.

Yes of course. My best friend, her family, a couple of other friends.

Yes, friends I’ve known half my life. Love them, trust them, wouldn’t be without them.

Why?

Yes. Family friends who are more like aunts, uncles & siblings. Do you, @PandaWorld?

No, I don’t even have family that I feel like this about.

Yes. Closer than family, in some ways.

Yes, my best friend and her parents/siblings/husband & kids, and my DH’s friend group from home.

My friends definitely feel like family. My biological family isn't a part of my life

No I don't. As siblings we aren't close either

Yep. Actually most of the people I class as family are no biological relation at all. My Mum's best friend played a hugely significant part in my upbringing. I spent half my childhood in her house. Her children are like siblings to me - and as important to me as my biological sibling.

Yes my best friend, we met when we were at junior school aged 9, so were friends for 60 years....

We knew each others families, went through first loves, weddings, divorces and deaths spoke on the phone weekly and met up every month for lunch.

Sadly my friend passed away in June after a long illness, and one of the last things she said to me was " You have been the bestest friend and a beloved sister."

I miss her every day

Yes - a friend I met just under 2 years ago. He lives with us now. He is family to me. He names me as his next of kin, so the feeling is mutual at some level.

Yes, I have 3 lovely friends who are my closest family. The vast majority of my "real family" are terrible people who have no place in my life.

Yes, I'm an only child but I have two friends whom I consider "sisters", which is lovely. I have a few other female friends who are also very important to me, not quite as close, but we're there for each other.

Same here. Unfortunately

My best friend.

@Tooty78 i am sorry for your loss. I've known my BFF for 35 years and next year I'm buying her a house. She helped me buy mine after years in rentals. We were so grateful.
My sister beat me as a child and teenager and I'm NC.
I don't know what I'd do without my bff's support. I have no parents or in laws.
I'm glad you knew such a wonderful person.

Yes, we have a good circle of very close friends who are family to all intents and purposes. I think one aspect of if it is that we’re all childfree by choice so have the time and capacity to concentrate on other relationships; and another being that many of us are expats in the UK, so being there for each other for the big life events where parents and siblings can’t, travelling together, spending Christmas together etc gives our relationships the family feel.

I joined my best friends family when she moved abroad in our late teens. Her sisters are my sisters, her parents are my spare parents, and she is just part of the furniture. It's a relationship I cherish and wish for my children with their friends.

Of course - my friends and their children. People I have chosen, so way more important than mere relations.

Yes.

I often think about this on the wedding threads where you get bride-to-bes saying "MiL wants to invite their friends" when it is a couple that knew their dh-2-b since before he was born, and has been involved with the family all his life.

@Mrsredlipstick, Thank you for your kind words, I was very blessed and lucky to have her in my life even though we were total opposites!
Your friendship sounds amazing, buying houses! This is what sisterhood is all about. Cherish each other.

Yes. DHs best friend and his GF and their three kids. They're defo like family. They were the only non family we invited to our very small wedding.