Village Effect-importance of face to face relationships

[VeganBikeChick]

My friends are few and far between, and though I do better with a few close friends than many acquaintances, it's hard (and alienating) not getting to see them often. What I'd give to have a close girlfriend to just gab with on a frequent basis or even to grab a glass of wine or go for a bike ride or walk with.

[shootingstar]

One of my sisters ..over 4,000 km. away, was amazed to learn how few friends I had locally. I think my family has an impression that I'm an extrovert because I've volunteered for a number of organizations at different times in life, each several years long. Or maybe because as a first born, I've had to go forward "first"... But no, not really.

I do have a friend here where since both of us don't have children, we occasionally spontaneously do stuff within 1 hr. of calling one another. However I try not to "lean" on her since I know she has a pile of other long-term friends locally. She is an avid twitterer/twitter reader...which I've gotten used to it. She makes up for it by being a naturally helpful, supportive friend. All other close friends aren't as heavily hooked to their social media as she, in person.