I'm single, lifelong, childless, live alone. I have three long-term friendships that I work to keep fertilized and weeded. One of 40+ years, one of 25+ years, one of 15+ years. They are truly priceless gifts. And the big reason that wherever I relocate to in retirement at least one of them has to be no more than 90 minutes away. Too precious to lose. I also have two former friends who mysteriously drifted away for no clear reason, and one whom I had to bring to an end for my own emotional health.