[arkaniad]

Hear, hear. I've also found cultivating love and care for my chosen family of friends to fill the space where I feel people seek maternal/paternal satisfaction. You don't need to have a blood relation / dependent relation with someone to invest yourself in their joys and successes and be there for the rest.

The added benefit is, some of these folks in my circle will likely have kids and being an unofficial aunt sounds like a good deal to me.