Ive used online chat programs and played online games such as MMO style for years. I have quite a few friends in those areas that I've never met in "real life".
I do, however, consider them real friends. When in games we're not necessarily chatting only about games, we chat about the things normal friends chat about. I know quite a bit about most of them but given that most live several states away from me I've just never met them off-line before.
I *do* prefer having my friends and relationships nearby so I can be a part of them face to face, but that doesnt devalue my online friends in my mind.