"why claiming that slashing close friends demeans their friendship disturbs me"
I could say so much about this and how much I agree with you, but after dealing with this just last night...I really don't want to start ranting in your journal.

I will instead say that I loved your long tangent and have had conversations about that with my mother about my grandmother 'dearest friend' who she still has keepsakes from when discussing why grandma was so not surprised that I have a girlfriend.