Guardian readers share stories of reconnecting with estranged friends after decades apart, prompted by unexpected messages. A recent study suggests that the more surprising such a message is, the more it is appreciated.
Elizabeth Donnelly, 53, from Ely, Cambridgeshire, reconnected with her childhood best friend Vanessa Unwin after 46 years. They lived on the same street in Wymondham, Norfolk, until Vanessa moved to Newcastle at age six. Elizabeth found her on LinkedIn after reading a Guardian article. They met for a meal in King's Cross, and Elizabeth said: 'It felt like I’d found my long lost sister.'
Paul Sharman, 50, a mental health nursing student from Newcastle, lost touch with friend Mark Wakeling after an Oasis gig in 2000. In 2021, Paul posted photos on a John Lydon fan page, and Mark's daughter contacted him. They reunited at another John Lydon event in Chesterfield. Paul said: 'It didn’t feel like 22 years had passed.'
Another pair, who met at Cardonald College in 1988, drifted apart after 2002 due to a misunderstanding about a dog allergy. After 20 years, Stacey messaged via Facebook in March 2021. They reconnected and now meet regularly, with Stacey saying: 'The years melted away.'
