If someone (male) you were at school with almost 40 years ago contacted you

[TheClosingChapter]

out of the blue, what would their motivation be? We have had no contact since we were 12, I'm now almost 50. Got an email saying (paraphrased) "Hi, bumped into someone who sent me copies of old school photographs, and thought I'd contact you as I admired your intellect."

Doubly weird because I now live on the other side of the world, have been married (so changed my name but am now separated, heading for divorce) and have no friends in common, so he must have had to do some serious googling to find me.

I've done a quick bit of internet stalking in return and he seems well respected in his field and on the level. He was a nice kid when we were 12 and we were friendly although not romantically involved at all. Should I reply or leave it?

He might be planning a holiday soon. Free accommodation, lol

I'm a cynic so I would assume he's recently been divorced/separated

I would just take it at face value. Why the need to weave it into something else?

Take it at face value my best friend from High school also male randomly got in touch on Facebook last September, not seen each other for 28 years we've spent a few months chatting on line, and he came for a visit 2 weeks ago, it was like we never been apart we talked non stop for 24 hrs; no idea what about ! Was so much fun.

was single and has been for some time... Seems very nice

You're going to fall in love - I can feel it in my water. Keep us updated please?

The emails have been pinging back and forth this evening (his Sunday morning). Chatting about old times and discovering new things as well. Seems we have a lot of common interests so that has been nice. And talking about old times has been good too - been over 20 years since I was last in our home town and although he no longer lives there we have been reminiscing about the good and bad points. I am enjoying this and really pleased I replied. Although I love living in the UK there is something I miss about not being able to talk about shared childhood experiences with people. You know, the 'do you remember when all this was fields' type thing.

I expect it will all fizzle out and dampen off shortly but for the moment it's fun.

Ooh thanks for the update! I've checked back a few times as this is intriguing. Please keep us updated.

Great update

I've sort have had similar recently and it's just started to creep me out. He was a neighbour on the next block and okay when we were kids. I was never romantically interested in him, and as far as I know, him in me. He was always a little bit oddball but likeable. He contacted me through FB at the end of last year . Now he posts weird stuff about his single relationship status (we're almost 40 ffs) and makes public posts on his page related to my comments on other people's pages (whom he doesn't know). It's the latter which has got me a bit concerned that he's cyber-stalking me - he knows full well I'm married with 2 kids.

I bet it doesn't fizzle out....

Updating coz I have no one to tell in real life (got a bit isolated in the latter stages of my marriage). I am grinning like a loon as I've just got off a two hour skype conversation. I never talk for that long, ever! Seriously nice man.

mimishimmi - that does sound odd and a bit obsessed but I won't have that problem, neither of us are on social media and he lives 12,000 miles away.

And the 12,000 miles away thing is a bit of a pisser tbh. This is daft and doomed. But nice. He thinks I'm lovely! And I can't remember the last time anyone said that to me.

Ooooh!!! He sounds lovely - you are so getting together told you so

Really, really hope it works out - either as a brilliant new friend or something more

Just be careful. I still cannot believe how many Oz women have been conned out of several hundred thousand dollars by falling "in love" with someone they met of the internet.

It does not seem to matter how many times it appears on the news or the govt sends out warnings it still continues to happen.

OP - I am not saying this will happen to you, and the guy might be genuine but if he starts asking for a loan to tide him over......?

Good point Ozzie

Ooohhhhh I was hoping this would turn into luurrve story!!! Assuming his intentions are good, this sounds so incredibly amazing. Please keep us updated.

Updating mostly because I don't really have anyone in RL I can share with who wouldn't go wtf are you doing but... we are meeting up in 2 weeks! We've been emailing every day and Skyping when possible (time difference makes it tricky). He was scheduled to go to a conference in Paris and has decided to add a detour to the UK to see me. Me! He still thinks I'm lovely and he is SO nice to talk to.

Both excited and terrified! Coz it's lovely to be appreciated by someone after so long feeling unloved and isolated, but also I know it can never be anything more as we live on opposite sides of the world and both have family commitments with teens at exam stages. And really, who ever has the fairytale ending. But it would be nice to meet and... I'd so love a hug. Been too long. And maybe I need an exit romance from long and difficult marriage and this one might not be too painful when it ends as it can only be transitory.

So, going to do it and meet up and... Who knows.

Sounds lovely and uplifting. Really glad this is happening for you and also glad to read such a positive and hopeful thread.

OMG!!! This is an amazing update!! So glad you contacted each other. Hope he is as lovely in RL. Please update as I'm following your story.

Aw that sounds great!

What do you mean 'who ever had the happy ending'? Some people do! Just don't hear about it on these boards so much...

Have a great time op . How exciting!

I'm grinning ear to ear with a little tear Enjoy!