I haven't read all the answers yet, but for me, I cherish my girlfriends. They have helped me through the tough, celebrated the good, hugged when I needed. I do not have a great deal of time, but I go to two regular quilt retreats with my dearest friends every year. I have a best girlfriend I met through my DH, the wife of his best friend. I am godmother to her child, my child is also hers, a piece of the "mother pie" or my village. And my best friend forever is my DH. About 95% of our free time is spent together.
Laurie