Not so many. At least not on the level that most people think of their best friends. I tend to share my 'inner self' only with my husband, who is truly my best friend.

Otherwise, in 56 years;

life long - high school, and still, though we see each other only once every few years - 1

as a young mother and on through my 30s - two were work colleagues as well as friends - 3

in later years,40s and 50s, a work colleague who is more like me then anyone I have ever known - 1

None. I have had 5 in my 75 rs. The first two were child hood to high school friends. One I lost contact with and know she married several times and don't know her married name. The other, I lost contact with after she was my maid of honor. I tried to find her for our 50th party, but couldn't. Then my late daughter-in-law, worked in the records dept of our county and found her, but she had passed away earlier that year. In my adult years, I have had three and all have passed away. We moved to this new area 8 yrs ago, and although I have made some acquaintances, I can't seem to connect with any one on the best friend level. I'll admit, I'm lonely and oh so would like to have someone to go out to lunch with.

One. I met Sue in sixth grade, we were both rabid Beatles fans, that was our connection. We remained BFFs thru high school, kept in contact college and beyond. She introduced me to my first husband (now divorced) . She's currently living in Ottawa Canada, while I've stayed in New York. We talk on the phone maybe once a week. I manage to see her about once a year. She's the GodMother to one of my daughters. But each time we re-connect it's like no time has passed. I last saw her in August at our 40th High School Reunion. If I have a family problem or joy to share, she's the first person I contact. So I have one BFF.

Two. One I have known since before first grade.. we email daily and get together once a month. The other I met at work 20 years ago and we get together at least once a week.

I have had other 'best friends' throughout the years (one for over 20 years, the other for over 5 years).. but we parted ways for one reason or another.

I had best friends in school, but not so much after marriage. Five years ago I met 2 women when I bought a home in a new development. After a few months of lunching/shopping together I began to feel "married". I know the problem was me because I never spoke up and say where I would like to eat. Then I made the mistake of traveling with my "best" friend and that did not work out at all. We talked about it and did another trip, trouble again over a little bar of soap.

I gradually backed off and am happier being alone. I also prefer a male friend, but most are married or they want more than friendship. I jokingly told someone...I have to get a pet or I'll end up married just for companionship. I get my pup in 5 weeks.

None. I have people with whom I interact quite often, but when my husband died, I lost my best friend.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the term
"Best Friend" by its very nature is singular, defining one individual, to the exclusion of all others.

You could have a group of "Dear Friends" or "Close Friends" but only one can be your "Best Friend".

I'm with Lazypup. You can only have one best friend. I have one best female friend. Like Michelle I have always connected with and trust males more than women. As I have gotten older I have more female friends in my life but my best friend is the only one who really really knows everything about me and accepts me warts and all,and I her.

I have 5 sisters...they are my best friends and I would never elevate one "best" over another. I may be closer to one or another at any given time...but I would do absolutely anything for any of them...and they for me.

I have very few friends outside my family.

None. I have 5 brothers and it's always been easier for me to have men friends rather than girl friends. I've had a few very good girl friends when I was growing up but one passed away, another shunned me after an incident for which I had no control over, and two more moved and really never stayed in contact.

I have three best friends who I know I could count on for anything. All of these have been my friends for many years. I also have two sisters who would always be there for me as well.

I have two close friends who I know I could count on if I really needed anything.

Two, both I've known since I was a kid.

I am lucky to have a few very good close friends. I don't call any of them "Best" though. Two have been in my life since childhood, four a sister-in-laws for over 30 years and one I just met about 3 years ago and I adore her.

I think you can have more than 1 best friend, b/c I have 3 and I wouldn't be able to choose the BEST one. One I've had since jr. high, one for 40 yrs. and one for 25 yrs. I would do anything for them, and they for me. It's just some relationships that I think I couldn't live without. I have other "close" friends, but these 3 gals just can't be beat. It's a present you give yourself.

My best friends throughout high school and into my late 20's were male. From my 30's on I've had two wonderful and amazing best friends (female) who have stuck by me through thick and thin. I don't know what we would do without each other.

Now, because of age, I have no "best friend for ever." They have either passed on, or have health problems which limit their activities, or are so involved with family situations, and grandchildren that there is no time for them to socialize. I miss all of them.

I have been here at the retirement community for 8 years. I know a lot of the other residents. My next door neighbor, who is much younger than I am, and a my age couple across the street, are my best friends here.

I remember something I heard on the old "Odd Couple" TV program. They were thinking about splitting up. One of them said to the other "You can't make new old friends."

How true.

Sue

None for me; ever really. :( When I was in grade school I went to a very small school. 6 girls in my grade and one was the ring leader. Long story short; I couldn't trust a one of them. That has led to my lifelong tendancy to be a loner.

I do have some friends, I'm not pathetic or anything. Just no one to really confide in. I have two awesome sisters though! :)

8

All since high school and we will soon celebrate our 50th HS reunion. One of them since grade 5. We live in 5 different states and have a yearly Girls Week vacation. Email several times weekly.

None. I enjoy interacting with people online, but in-person relationships take too much energy, effort & time.

My best friend is a male, married, and we have known each other since 93. We ride bicycles together, which at times include bike tours. Some KT members here have met Mel.

Then I got Margot, she is from where I lived the longest... up north, northern Oklahoma. She is also a "former" German. Helen also lives up there... and since I first moved to OKC, I count Jean as my best friend.

I also have 4 awesome good friends in Tulsa, all gal pals (used be be five, but since Howard passed away earlier this year, it's four).

Since my divorce I have found two new best friends, both female, both divorced... one from China, the other here from OKC.

I also made some awesome friends while cycling across the US, and can count several KT member in to this circle, and lots of newer cycling friends.

Because of the moving around I did prior to my divorce, I have left some friends, but the BEST friends are still there. :)

Moni

I'd say none other than DH. He is the only person I confide in with my innermost thoughts and vice versa. I have 3-4 "close" friends but several have moved out of state so a bit different in terms of the friendship. I'm not the kind of person who is always doing things with my "girlfriends".

Going by what Lazypup said,and i do agree with her.

I have one very best friend,and we have been each others best friend for almost 50 years.We have never had an arguement.

I first met lupe when we were transferred to Ca(DH was a marine)When we got our first apt she lived next door.We both had young kids then,she 6 girls and me 3 boys and i was pregnant with DD.

We first spoke over the back fence as we were both hanging clothes,no dryers back then.We hit it off right away.We baby sat for each other,when needed,helped each other out whenever we could.And believe me she was there for me a lot when dh was deployed to viet nam.

Our relationship grew over the years and is still blossiming.She has been there for me and i for her thru thick and thin,sickness and in health,and everywhere in between.We still go out to lunch off and on ,we invite each other and our families to each others family functions,and our kids have always called each other cousins,and still do.They greet each other with "Hi Cuz",and a hug.

She truly is a best friend!! I have 6 others that i have been very close to for almost as long and one even longer,but most of them don't live close by.lupe and i still live just blocks apart,we both have grand and greatgrand kids now.
Kathi

My best friend is my sister, Diana. We weren't always close because as kids we had to share a bedroom and fought like cats and dogs, but as we grew up we found out we really like each other. Since we were in our 20's, we speak on the phone once a week and share just about everything. She's the kindest hearted person I've ever met. I love her lots! I also have 5 other sisters/brother and we all know we can depend on each other if we need to. There's a lot to be said for large families.

I know spouses don't count, but Harry's really my dearest friend. I know it's corny to say this, but we really were made for each other.

I consider all my friends my best friends and most of closest friends are the friends I have been with since I was 4 years old. 2 of them though Kathy and Vicki I guess I could call my best friends because I see them more often than the others or talk to them every other day. LOL I am a close friend with all of them but they are not necessarily close friends with each other, I also have really close work friends and neighbours who I have known forever.

I'd say none. I have friends, but since I live in a very rural area it's not like we go out to coffee or go shopping together. My friends tend to be the other couples my husband and I go to dinner with or those I see at church. I haven't kept in touch with high school or college friends. Even my sisters and I only visit once or twice a year. Guess I tend to be more of a loner.

None, I had a few friends before my marriage but then the mothering years came and I was busy with babies and no time for friends. Then about 13 years ago my sister-in-law moved back to town and she started dating my husbands best friend and they got married and we because Best Friends, I loved her and she felt the same way, we did things together and told each other everything. Then her husband begun to change and treated her bad, they had fights and they argued and he broke things of hers. He has roadrage among other habits of hateing other races of people. My husband stopped doing things with him as they grew apart. And she got some help with how to deal with him and make their marriage work. They have no children. So I guess you could say she choice him over me. So I really miss her and do things alone now.

Two.....one from grade school and one from high school.
I am blessed to have them both.

One best friend. She and I have been friends since 1971, when we worked together. She has been with me through good and bad times, and vice versa. I love her dearly because she knows all about me and still accepts and loves me. Same with her, she is just a dear, dear best friend. I have tried to have other best friends, but no go, Sue has and always will be my best friend.

Its hard to find a good friend,with good intentions anymore.I had a wife of one of hubbys workers,we did alot together but she was too close copied everything down to my dog,nails ,hair,jewelry,I ended it the day she told me she looked up my health problems,proceeded to tell me after 40 years what the side effects etc were.too close for me.