I hated school too. I was bullied, too. I am glad that you were able to put it behind you. I have found that the way to judge a good friendship is not how often you speak, or if you stay in regular contact, but how comfortable it feels when you do speak and meet up.
And it sounds like KP and MSN qualify here!
Family is important, but it's your friends that carry you in life.
RE: Low Maintenance Friends