I know just what you mean, Army.

All too often in these instances, though, I can't honestly say my mind is simply associating these people or concepts. Instead it looks at though the combination creates a new person that I've never met, but have always known, for I feel a close kinship.

It is not surprising to me that in dreams I would feel like these friends are more like brothers or sisters, because they actually are some part of me, given that they are part of my dreams. What appearance they take is largely secondary.

It also works in reverse. Instead of seeing friends as more like brothers and sisters, I see my own sisters as more like friends. They don't behave the same way at all, and I cannot honestly say that they are meant to represent my sisters, my thoughts about my sisters, or anything associated with them beyond merely that they are family. They're just simply too "close," all sorts of psychic communication and emotional oneness, within the dream of course.

It's all so different. The best way to get around the mystery and not have it bother you is just to realize that they're you - everything is you in a dream - and go on with whatever you want to do.