We may not be blood but I miss my brother

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Growing up my life wasn't dreams and fairy tales. It was hard,cold and unforgiving. I had a friend who was also raised this way. I refer to him as my brother. We cleaned each others wounds when beaten by our parents, cried to each other, supported the other and he was more family to me then my own. My kids call him Uncle and my husband has even taken to calling him his brother in law. (they where friends in high school but not real close). He recently started a serious relationship with a woman he met where he lives (We are in PA he is in FL) and brought her up North with him when he came to visit (he comes here every couple months at least). She was surprised to see him so happy to see me and me him. I do not think she can comprehend our relationship very well yet and it took my husband almost a decade to get it. I miss him everyday. We didn't just share the hell in our lives but all the good moments too. Also it is hard because we know all of each other's faults and we have some doozies. Old habits that can be dangerous and not being able to be there with the other makes us both nervous at times. This last trip was a surprise for me because he knew I was dieting and wanted to make sure I was healthy. At a point in my life I was anorexic and for months the only food I swallowed was what he physically forced down my throat to give an understanding of why this would make him nervous (he saw I was doing it healthy and was very relieved). The fact that he showed up off schedule was so good though. When he is expected I am excited but this time I wasn't prepared and was floored by how much I had missed him. It is hard for most to understand that we are not nor have ever been romantic because we so openly love each other but he is and has always been and will always be my brother. I miss him on the day to day though and wish life hadn't moved us so far appart.