These tips will help you find your childhood friends

Nostalgia is a bittersweet empty feeling about one’s past. We miss a lot of people we’ve grown out of contact with. In the midst of all the ups and downs of life, we sometimes just go our separate ways with our friends who we cherish the most. However, there comes a time in life when we realize how much life would have been better with our childhood buddies. The moments of happiness and sadness we could have shared. How much we are missing out on without our friends. Nonetheless, it is never too late to rebuild and strengthen the fractured bond of friendship.

The world for those born before the 2000s has changed a lot in terms of technology. Nowadays, if we meet someone, we can find their social media accounts on the internet or get their phone number to stay in contact from anywhere in the world. Finding a person is not that difficult in modern times. 

Meanwhile, a lot of the older generation who were not exposed to technology or did not enjoy the technological privileges as most do now have lost some of their childhood friends in the passage of time.

Are you one of those who recall the old memories and wonder what their childhood besties are doing? Do you want to find a long-lost friend? Here are some tips you need to know before starting your old friend hunt:

Recall as much information as you can: 

If the childhood friend was your classmate or someone in your neighborhood, you must have their information like the home address, their full name, their family name, and so on. 

Note down all the information about them that you can recall and decide which piece of information they would be more accessible with. 

Remember that these crucial details can help you find them. 

Try contacting the mutuals:

Another way of finding your childhood friend is by trying to contact the mutuals. This could be anyone from their relatives, neighborhood friends, or even someone from school. The possibilities are endless. If you can recall any of the people who might connect with your old friend, contact them. 

You can also try contacting the school alumni associations as they might help you get their recent details. You can contact the alumni association coordinators and see if you can have access to their updated information. 

Social Media:

Since the advent of social networking sites, countless people across the globe have found their old friends and even made new friends. 

Your friend might also have an account on one of the social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram. The advantage of these platforms is that people usually upload their photos there and you’ll be able to quickly detect if the person is the one you’ve been looking for. 

You can also look for them on LinkedIn if you have a vague idea about what they would be doing professionally.

Use people finder websites:

People finder websites play a significant role in finding someone you are looking for. These websites have a database of most people in the country and their contact details. By typing their name or phone number, you can get basic information about them, like where they live and what they do now. 

Use Nuwber to find that person you’re trying to reconnect with. You can start with an address search to see if your friend still lives in that place where they used to. Then you can proceed with the name search and check other address options. 

Stay away from scammers:

It might be possible that you finally meet someone who claims to know your childhood best friend. But still, it is too risky to trust a stranger and let your guard off. They might be in search of someone vulnerable enough for identity theft. This can put you in great danger. Remember that before looking for your friend, your safety is your priority. 

Before putting all your trust in this person, make sure you do a brief background check to be on the safer side. And never reveal your personal details to anyone you only met recently.

Look into obituaries:

It might sound daunting but look for all the names in the obituary that you think are or were associated with your friend. This is one of the ways you can find deeper details about your friend and whether they’re still able to be contacted.

Search the town they used to live in:

There are chances people in the town would know about your friend’s whereabouts. Ask all the people you can find who might know anything about them. But keep in mind that you might sound like a stalker if you’re too intrusive. You can ask for basic information like the recent town or city they are living in, or get their phone number if possible. Be ready to share the story of how you know that person, or even show photographs if possible. 

Google Image search:

One of the online tools you can use to find your friend is Google Images. If you can find an old picture of them, you can attach it in the search bar and see what information comes up. If you do not have their picture, you can also look for the information by typing their name in the search bar. 

Be patient:

Finding an old friend is not easy at all. And if they were your best friend, it might be agonizing not to be able to find them. Be determined and persistent as finding a lost friend might not be easy, but is worth all the effort. 

Prepare yourself for any situation:

After considering all the points mentioned above, keep in mind that you need to be prepared for anything that comes your way after you find them. Maybe they might not recognize you or may get overwhelmed by your sudden appearance. Do not feel anxious or think low of yourself if they do not respond to you the way you want them to. At the end of the day, people change and that is normal, even if it’s hard to accept. Don’t set your hopes too high in order not to get disappointed.

Conclusion:

We all miss the old days and the people we made memories with. Our childhood friends are one of the best things about our younger days. However, finding them again takes patience and time. This article explains some of the tips that will help you find your long-lost friend.