Life friend. You'd still have to make some explanations.

Compadre (for men) and Comadre (for women) is spot on.

The definition of compadre and comadre defines the special relationship between the parents and the godparents of a child. The reality of the word usage in the common sense is a friendship with a person that you would trust with the life and wellbeing of your child, whether that person is a godparent to your child or not or even if you had a child or not.

Last edited by consuelo; 12/24/2005 1:37 PM.