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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.




Well, it looks like these words are basically what I'm looking for. Thank you (to all who have offered suggestions). I resisted compadre at first because, while its definition is what I need, its connotation is so much more colloquial, even casual in its usage. Nevertheless, if that's the word, I'll have to use it, and then explain to people (including the ones I'm describing) what I mean when I do.

I'm still open to other ideas, too, though. Anything in an ancient language, a less-common language, or any other for that matter?

In the mean time, and possibly long-term as I get comfortable with it, I'll be using compadre and comadre.