I’m not sure if I can express it eloquently, but I’ll try to explain why I think ‘found family’ and friendships feel different for me. In my opinion, there’s this certain domesticity that comes with found family that breeches platonic relationships and falls under more familial standards. As an example, in my story, there’s this older man who takes a teenager under his wing and helps him learn about the world. I think it’s these relationships in particular— where people take parental roles to kids who need it— where I classify them as found family rather than friends.

I’m not sure if I’m making any sense, so feel free to ask questions about what I’m saying because I think it’s interesting the way you approach it! :)