My kids were mortified when I joined Facebook a year or so ago. Facebook was for their generation they claimed, and it was ‘weird’ that I was on. My youngest refused to ‘friend’ me, not wanting me up in her business. I joined Facebook primarily for business. I wanted to connect with other life coaches, and I wanted to publish my blog in a more public venue so I would have more readers. Last night, I attended the wedding of the son of a high school friend with whom I reconnected on Facebook just a few months ago.
Janet and I were friends from 7th through 12th grade, and her husband, Norman, and I were friends as well. I had lost touch with most of my high school friends, as I had moved several times since then, and most of my old friends were married and spread out all over the world. Janet found me on Facebook and we realized we still had a lot in common. Her posts were similar to mine, very thought provoking and with deep meaning. She soon began reading my blog, and a few months later, I was invited to the wedding of a son whom I never even met.
Surrounded by their seven beautiful children, many with children of their own, it felt great to see my two old friends last night. I had forgotten how beautiful Norman’s voice was until he began leading the wedding service under the Chuppah canopy. After the wedding, he reminded me that I taught him to play guitar. I had no recollection.
Another treat last night was reuniting with two Judy’s from my high school class. The years melted away as we began to catch up on the thirty year gap since we last spoke to one another. As I laughed with my long-lost friends, I felt like I was 16 again, hanging out at our parent’s homes, laughing about boyfriends. The conversation now was about ex-husbands, dating, and kids. One Judy was happily remarried after a failed first marriage at age 19, and the other was a widow. Time has lapsed, but personality traits were still strong and it felt great to reconnect.
So, while Facebook began as a business tool, it has morphed into a wonderful way to bond with some friends whom I thought I would never see again. I am glad Janet reached out to friend me on FB. I am thrilled that we all reconnected last night at such a joyous occasion. And I look forward to seeing what’s next in our relationships.
The important lesson for me is to always be open to what might happen. We might try to direct the outcome of something we set out to do, and the result can be a pleasant surprise that comes out of left field. Be open and see what comes. You never know!
Share an experience of something surprising that came out of being on Facebook.
