Long Lost Friends
 

I just have to post this story, because I've been crying for over an hour now....

Back in 1990, I went thru a VERY tough time. I met a friend, Sarah, under very, VERY unconventional circumstances and we bonded to each other for what I thought was life. We were each other's rock. We had special nicknames for each other, we had sleep overs, we did everything. She was the sister I'd always wanted and never had...

In 1991, I went away to college and she stayed at home in NY. We drifted apart some, due to the distance. But, one day in Sept of 1992, we had some stupid fight over who didn't leave who a message and we never spoke again. I was never really mad, but you know how women can be and our pride got in the way. Time passed and neither of us called the other.

The date is now Summer 1993. My mom comes into my room and wakes me up and tells me to turn on the TV. On WNBC news a story is on. It's video of Sarah and her family, coming out of a funeral home. Her younger sister has passed away. I'm totally shocked and I decide to call and leave a message at her house. I begged her to call me. But, she doesn't. I didn't attempt to call her again because her family was in grieving, then I went back to RI....

Fast forward through time...I try to find her via the internet, via court records, via 1-800-US Search, via talk shows (I never got on one, but I always called in when they were looking for guests who wanted to find people). I move to MD, my parents leave NY...But I never give up on finding her.

Cut to this past Wed, I'm on the phone with my friend and talking to her about my upcoming trip to NY to visit family and friends. I haven't really been excited about this trip cuz no one I really know that well is in NY anymore, I'm going just to spend time with my mom. So I said "The only real reason I will ever have to go back is if I can find and see Sarah again." But, I end that phone call with another sigh of surrender, knowing that I will never find her.

So, I'm sitting here at work today, and I'm trying to find her again. I looked up all of her sisters, her father, and finally her mother. I find a listing for someone with her mother's name, but it's the same number I've called in the past. But something told me to call...

I call, it rings:
Me: "Hello, is Donna A. there?"
Person on the other end: "No, she isn't. Can I take a message?"
Me:"Um, uh, I'm really taking a chance here. I'm trying to see if this is the mother of Sarah A. I'm one of her daughter's friends from a long time ago, BJ..."
Person on the other end, cutting me off:"OHMIGOD! Yes, how are you??"
Me (now a sobbing mess):"I'm good, OHMIGOSH! I really want to get in touch with her, can you tell me how?"
Person on the other end: "BJ, IT'S SARAH!"

After 11 years, I found one of my dearest friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still crying over here, because this is like an open wound that can finally heal. She was, no, IS a soulmate and I have missed her everyday since then and I am in such shock. One big reason I joined a sorority is because of my need to find another Sarah, or several Sarahs and I had this love to give and no one to whom to give it, because Sarah was gone and I never thought I'd find her.

I'm supposed to call her on Tuesday and we are going to make definite plans to spend a day together this week (I leave for NYC on Wed.)

I have just one thing to say: Today, God showed himself to me.

My third thing to do after seeing her (first is to weep and hug her, second is to give her all these gifts and stuff I have for her but never knew where to send) is to ask her if she is Greek. If she isn't, I'm asking her if she would become my sister and join Tri Sigma as an alumnae initiate.

sigmagrrl,

that is some wondeful news! all of your hard work has paid off!

one word of advice---your friend might still hold resentment so just take things slow. don't expect things to go immediately back to how they were years ago. talk talk talk!

good luck!

What a wonderful story! I know how frustrating
the search for an old friend can be. I also know
the feeling of finding them after ten or so years.

I am sincerely happy for you. I wish you an excellent
stay in New York with your friend.

Please let us know how it went. And definately let
us know if she is Greek, or if she accepts your
invitation to become a sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

I feel like crying.. this story is very similar to one between me and one of my very best friends. She moved away 15 years ago and I haven't heard from her since. She knew me and understood me better than anyone I've ever known. She was more of a sister to me than my own sisters! Ever since she moved and we grew apart, there's always been a gigantic Kim-shaped hole in my heart. I've met some pretty amazing people along the way, but no one's come close to taking her place. I know now that no one ever will.

Best of luck to you and Sarah, Sigmagrrl. Please let us know how it went - your story gives me hope that one day, Kim and I will find our way back to each other again.

WOW! How touching! Your story was just what I needed to hear (read) today. We women are pathetic with our pride sometimes aren't we? Hopefully we'll all use this as a reminder to cherish and nurture our friendships. I'm so glad you were able to find your friend. Let us know how everything goes!

Crystal

I have tears in my eyes from reading that! I'm so happy for you and I hope things work out for the best!

Enjoy meeting up with her--- it is a wonderful moment you will never forget--and no one will probably understand how special the moment is to you.

I have a half brother-- I did not know he exsisted until I was 13 and he was 18. He is my dad's son, from his first marriage-that I didn't know about. I was at my dad's for the weekend--and he shows up. My dad signed over adpotion papers when he was about 1 or 2 years old. He found out--and tracked down my dad.

We talked a little bit on and off--- and as I got a bit older we forged a relationship and were very close. Not sure what happened but we lost contact (and he DOES NOT speak to my dad). I thought about him alot. I called his mom, who would not give me any info--worried it would get to my dad. I called again and got his dad (adpoted) he gave me some vague info, but with the help of the internet I found him. I called him--and we started rebuilding our relationship. We know have a very close relationship--I would tell him anything--trust him with my life!!! My brother and I talked (IM) everyday--for about 2 hours--and on the phone at least one a week. He was in town at Thanksgiving--we saw each other for the first time in 10years!!! It was unreal!!
No one understand out relationship--especially my friends with siblings they grew up with-- but we relate to each other like no one else.

So enjoy meeting up with Sarah-- enjoy your time together.

-wendi

That is so sweet. I too recently found a long lost friend. I've know this guy since 10th grade. We were each other's first dates. We had our ups and downs and there was a time when we didn't speak to each other for a lot of years.

I found him thur Classmates.com around Oct and I emailed him,but no response. So a couple of days before Valentine's day, I emailed him again thur Classmates.com and this time:)

Now we talk at least twice a week. It's like no time had passed between us. The time different sucks cause I'm in Texas and he's in California.


Sigmagrrl, I wish you all the best when you meet your friend:cool: Thanks for sharing your news with us

I'm so excited for you sigmagrrl!!!!!! I had a situation that wasn't TOO similar, but...My best friend that I had grown up with.. We were friends from birth, same type of family situation (both adopted, both only children, etc). Anyhow. We'd talked on and off since I moved to IN from NY and I finally saw her last year after nine years...I thought it would be some magical awesome thing...But no...Turns out she turned into somewhat of a bia :( .. Which really sucks b/c the reason I went to see her was because I was supposed to be her maid of honor...Well then I find out, after I fly to NY, that I'm the freaking DJ at the reception, because 'they didn't feel like paying to hire a real one' - - which they actually told me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well... Point being, things may not be exactly how you hope they are, so take them slow and hope for the best!!!!! AND CONGRATS! :D