['Before I met my girlfriend and friends I was very lonely, that was not a fun time', "That makes me sad to hear.  Do you have lot's of friends now?", 'Not a lot but I have a good group of a few friends, so that is nice']
I think it is better to a few really good friends than a lot of acquaintances.
Before I met my girlfriend and friends I was very lonely, that was not a fun time