OK. i'll give another example.

I played WoW for a good 8 years everyday through high school and college, became great friends with some of the people I played the game with.

When I finished school, I hung up my WoW character and said good bye to my friends in the game.

Although I no longer keep in touch with any of them, those were some of the best 8 years of my life and I am truly fond of the memories I made playing the game and working together.

Is that not the same as a work place?