So glad you've found a safe place here. For me, it has been the only place I've found unconditional acceptance, real support and no b.s.

That's a pretty awesome list you have there . Let's see...right off the bat, you can do #9, start #7, start #9 (with imports), and even do the latte and contemplation on #10.

If you can tolerate my mom-ness, I'd like to share a couple of anecdotes with you that might help you see some things in a different light.

After my first marriage ended, I walked away from anyone who was my friend because I believed they were friends with an imposter. I went looking for new friends by joining a dart league - which was more an excuse to hang out in a bar. As I observed the older single people that had been doing the same thing for years, I realized that real friendships didn't happen in that setting.

Not too long ago, I ran into someone I was friends with back in the early days. The thing that stuck in my mind was her saying that she and her husband had finally become friends after 20 years of marriage.

My mom was single for 20 years after my dad died. She spent a lot of time looking for another romantic relationship. After she stopped looking, she started to do things on her own - travel, learn ballroom dancing, etc. It was only after she stopped looking that she fell in love - with a man she had been friends with for 30 years. They're having the time of their lives in their 70's.

My only close friends are my sister and my husband, and I've come to realize that's enough. They know everything about me, warts and all. I also realized that, while it's imperative to work hard at friendships, you have to be certain you're working at the right things: honesty, respect, empathy and unconditional love.

Maybe your best friend (and the only one you might ever need) is right in front of you.

And don't forget, you have friends here even if we appear to be emoticon heads with threads for bodys .

Lots of hugs...