Renewing old friendships

[Sakrysta]

Tonight I'm getting together with a friend of mine from high school whom I haven't seen for probably 16 years. I'm excited, but nervous too. We've reconnected on Facebook and chatted some, and she's in town today staying over with her folks.

Anybody else had an experience like this? How did it go? Have you maintained the relationship once it was renewed? Were the changes of the years between a shock? Were there differences in your status - like with me, I'm single, and she's married, has a little boy, and is expecting. I always feel like I'm behind maturity-wise around my peers who are married and have families, like my development has been stunted or something.

Anyway, wish me luck! We were very close in high school. I'm hoping we can pick things up where we left them and be part of each other's lives again. And feel free to share any similar experiences and words of wisdom!

 

[trampledamage]

Good luck!

I've never done it, although I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to meet up with some of the people I was at school or college with.

I hope it goes well for you

 

[RJDiogenes]

Good luck. I hope all goes well.

I stumbled across the guy who was my best friend back in the late 70s to mid 80s. I considered contacting him, but then realized we drifted apart for a reason and I suspect that reason has only grown over time.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm going to wait until my 10-year high school reunion before I decide whether or not I want to reconnect with somebody. I've had some random chats with old friends from elementary school and junior on facebook, but nothing that made me want to suddenly start hanging out with them again.

 

[An Officer]

I have met up with old school mates a few times, and the strange thing was how little we had changed! It was as though we picked up a conversation we had started only yesterday. The only awkward thing about it for me is how well people like that know you - there's no putting on airs or graces or anything like that, as they know you back to front, or at least think they do. It can be fun, but also a little disconcerting!

 

[RoJoHen]

I have met up with old school mates a few times, and the strange thing was how little we had changed!

I think a lot of us also tend to revert to our "old selves" when put in that kind of situation.

 

[Sparky]

Every experience is different. I tried something similar with a good friend from my youth but it ended up in a very awkward evening where we both expressed mutual agreement that we would get together again. That was the last time we talked in 15 years and counting. On the other side of the coin I met a person in high school and we did not really become friends until we met each other at a Star Trek convention (yeah, cliche for this site but it's true.) Eventually he moved away and we lost touch for awhile. We got back in contact and we are great friends. We don't see each other that often but we do talk every now and then. I am going to his wedding standing up beside him.

Friends can drift apart. There is no harm in trying to reconnect though. The worst that can happen is that you both realize that life has moved on and your friendship is a good memory best left in the past. However you may reconnect like it was yesterday and you now have a "new" friend that is a part of your life. Give it a chance but don't be dismayed if it does not work out.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Hope the get together went well! Hope you get a chance to pop in today and let us know.

 

[Sakrysta]

It did go pretty well. I don't think we're going to be calling each other up or chatting online regularly, but it was nice to catch up, and we had a good conversation. She did a LOT of the talking. I didn't remember her as being such a dominant conversationalist! But it was okay, because I enjoyed hearing about her life, and we did talk about mine too later. I'm glad we did it.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

^ That's great! I'm so glad it was a good experience for you!!