I have someone with whom I've been friends for 67 years. We met in junior high school and have been friends ever since. After high school, she moved to another country, but we have kept in touch frequently and have met at various places where her son was stationed when he was in the Air Force. I am as close, if not closer, to her than to my own sisters. In the past two years, I've lost the two other long-term friends of my youth. That is one of the most difficult things about aging - sometimes your friends go before you.
It's good to have long time friends. I hear you on losing people in your life. In my 40's is when I began losing friends. Now all I have is one person left I knew way back when, sure do miss my friends, I know you do as well.
Danilo_G 