For me, they are members of a forum i joined long time ago. After the forum died, we moved to discord. They are really wholesome and respectful, and they know some things about me that even my mom ignore.
A few other military veterans and a few friends from 20 plus years of irl friendship, and our host son, his wife and kids. Not all of them know each other.
So for context, I don’t talk to my biological family. Growing up there was a lot of abuse so it’s just not something I’m interested in.
Due to the abuse I don’t make connections with other people easily, but I’ve found an amazing family, all thanks to my now wife. Her best friend and husband are my brother and sister now along with a few others we hang out with all the time. I’d go to crazy lengths to help them as if they were family. My wife’s parents are just the best people out there, so they’re my parents now too even if we talk to each other as equals.
