According to my dictionary, a friend is variously defined as:A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.Someone with whom you share mutual knowledge, esteem, affection, and respect, along with a degree of rendering service to in times of need or crisis.Desiring what is best for the other person.Being able to express sympathy and empathy and being honest with each other.It's funny, but I couldn't find a definition that espoused anything about "face-to-face" connections being a requirement for friendship. I don't see anything in the definitions that precludes having an electronic friendship. In fact, I don't see anything that stipulates that you have to have met the person live in the real world rather than knowing them in the virtual world.
