Yes- you can be. And this is the best kind of popular because you're not putting up a show or anything. People just think you're nice or whatever it is that makes you popular.
Sometimes you have a lot of friends that are there for you that you don't really count as friends. So yeah, even though you might not feel "popular", you in fact might really be to those who count the most. I'm glad that you got to see your friends, that always seems brighten anyones day.