Long Lost Friends

[sigmagrrl]

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.