What is this tie?

[CammiRose]

For a while, I have been seperated from a friend i made a long time back. Now, I remember feeling very connected with this person and they used to be constantly in my life and in my mind, but even to this day (almost 9 years later) i find myself brought back to them in my thoughts and dreams throughout the day. I always felt a strong emotional tie to them and am not sure what to call them to me. They havent spoken to me in the nine years we have spent parted. There was no romantic relationship but i know there was something more than just my emotion keeping us close. Any ideas who they were? I have seen twin flame posts, i know about soulmates, i dont believe we were. Im not sure if its possible we were in a past life or not, but i am hoping to figure it out.