When I first started reading your post I was thinking that you should have gone to your friends party but then when I read it was a 2 Hour Dr. each way I felt differently. That is a lot of driving for a party!  It’s not like you could’ve just stop by for an hour. I would just reiterate to your friend  that you were kind of in a lose lose situation because it’s not like you could just stop by and if you didn’t see your boyfriend at all that would’ve caused problems on that end. Explain to her that you wanted to be there but given the circumstances you just couldn’t make it happen.

In regards to the sayings that  friends will always be there and men want, are used to live by that and I can tell you at the age of 47 I don’t think friends are there much more often than men. Sorry to be negative but most of my friendships have not lasted. Sure someone lasted five years, someone else to 10 I just had a 20 year relationship and do to her nearing an asshole who offended my entire family numerous times. So I say just take it as a case-by-case basis and go with your gut. I feel like for me that expecting relationships to be permanent has made it harder for me when they end.