Gail,

You are so right-- friends are sometimes closer than family. Our family reunion, 2002, in Dallas, Texas included a "Family and Friends Picnic" on Saturday afternoon. We grew up in a small east Texas community and friends were like family. We had many family members coming from out of state and for just the reunion so it allowed friends to see them for a short visit. We sent invitations and charged a nominal fee to the friends. We had about 25 friends of six siblings to attend.