Reconnect with Old Friends

By the time most of us become young professionals, we've lost touch with a lot (if not all) of our childhood and high school friends. Sure, the web makes it easier to keep in touch, but facebook doesn't always do the trick. If you want to reconnect with some old friends, now is the perfect time of year to make the effort. Here are some great ways to do it:

• Send a card - a simple holiday greeting card can be the first step to rekindling a friendship. If you don't have a friend's address, try sending an e-card instead. (bluemountain.com has a great selection). In your card, include a brief note sharing how you have been and asking about your old friend's new life.
  
  
• Make a call - If you still have a friend's number, making a phone call can be the perfect way to reconnect. However, if you're like me, it can also be a really anxious / awkward experience. Your best bet is to only call if the friend was especially close and you're sure you have the right number.
  
  
• Get together - Inviting an old friend to grab coffee or a slice of pizza is the best way to catch up. You can send the invite over e-mail, by phone, or even by snail mail if you like.
  
  
• Host a party - If you don't think your old friends will go for a one-on-one meeting (especially if it has been a really long time or you had a small falling out) try planning a get together and inviting mutual friends as well. *This is my plan, and I just invited 15 old friends to a New Year's Party (wish me luck!).
  
  
• Use the web - If all else fails, the web is still a great resource. Don't just limit yourself to facebook, though. Other networking sites (like classmates.com or LinkedIn) are also great resources. You may also want to check to see if your school has an alumni organization you can join.
  

Ultimately, you may never be able to restart a stalled friendship. However, it can't really hurt to give it a shot. Feel free to comment with your succes (or less than successful) stories!