Depth can be added to friendship when two folks are on the same side of the struggle.
C.S. Lewis puts it this way. . .
It's why deep friendships are often found in support groups--for cancer, terminal diseases, addiction, divorce, betrayal as well as varying grief groups. There is a kinship found when two or sometimes more are on the same side of the struggle. (Proverbs 18:24)
Factor in fellowship and the relationship goes even deeper. Why?
In true fellowship Christ is factored in. It becomes two (or more) people on the same side of the struggle with Christ being the connection in the middle. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
I know because I have been there and am so grateful for the ones God put there with me, often ahead of me, to lead the way to victory, even though the struggle might remain. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Sometimes the two coincide @ Germantown Library with chess lovers added to the mix.
Jesus Followers Gather. 
Christian fellowship denotes participative sharing and mutual encouragement towards Christ. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
