With the rise of online friendships, the term "real-life friend" is used more and more to describe someone you see and interact with. You may be Facebook or Twitter friends with someone, but unless you've had meaningful contact (conversations, bonding) with them in person, they are not a real-life friend.
Real-life friends are an important element of your social circle. They had value by providing human contact (face-to-face conversation and listening, hugs, hand holding, eye contact) and helping you stay connected to reality. It's one thing to have conversations online, but when you're with someone in person you tend to act more authentically yourself.
More about real and online friendships:
"Just had coffee with my real-life pal Shelly. She's the one I met through Meetup."
"Tony? He's a real-life friend I see once in a while.
