Old Friendships, New Opportunities: The Power of Reconnecting

Friends. Buddies. Besties. Homies. We all had them when we were kids. The person you hung out with at school, at recess, on the weekend. Maybe a special summer camp friend. But as we grow up, most of us lose touch with our childhood besties. They occupy a special place in our hearts, perhaps even a special place in a dusty photo album, but they’re distant memories.

What if these childhood friends could actually hold the key to opening a treasure chest of luck? Reconnecting with childhood friends isn’t just about reminiscing—it can lead to surprising new adventures or even life-changing opportunities.

These reunions often bring a touch of serendipity, enriching our lives in ways we never imagined. Reconnecting with old friends is like stepping into a time machine—no awkward small talk, no need to rebuild trust from scratch. Unlike new friendships that take time to develop, these bonds reignite instantly. 

Over the past few months I’ve had the good fortune of reconnecting with some important people from my childhood. 

Growing up in Canada, hockey was more than just a sport—it was a way of life. Every Saturday outside of the regular hockey season I'd join a group of local kids at a park for pickup hockey. Ricky was always one of the designated goalies. I was the other. He was a few years older than me, more experienced in nets, and I always looked up to him and tried to emulate his style. 

As much as we loved playing hockey together, life took us in different directions and we lost touch. Fast forward 30 years. I read an online article featuring two famous hockey players, Ken and Dave Dryden, the first brothers in NHL history to face each other in game action as goalies. It immediately sparked a memory of Ricky. After some online sleuthing, I found his email address and reached out to share a link to the article in the hopes of reconnecting. After more than 30 years without interacting, Ricky’s response to me was “OMG! Craig! Your email made my day. Thank you! It brought a smile to my face, old friend.”  

Despite some miles between us, we made plans to meet up in person. Even though so many years had gone by, it felt like no time had passed. We talked for hours, engaging in that unique laughter reserved for old friends and catching up on each other's lives. Ricky had built a successful career on Wall Street and now runs a boutique wealth management firm. What started as a long-overdue reconnect took an interesting turn. A passing comment led to an idea, an idea led to a discussion, and now we’re exploring a business collaboration neither of us saw coming.

A similar experience occurred recently with seven elementary and high school buddies. We reconnected at a milestone high school reunion this past fall, and then decided to spend four days skiing together in Whistler, BC which took place a couple weeks ago.

The trip wasn't just about reliving the past; it opened doors to new opportunities. We found ourselves eagerly supporting each other's endeavors, from masterminding about next steps in our careers to encouraging a friend with his new specialty coffee brand. Our group text thread has become a hub of shared resources and experiences, extending far beyond our time on the mountain.

What struck me most was the depth of our connection. The shared history we had as kids created a lifetime bond that new friendships simply can’t replicate. I would go to great lengths to support any of these ski buddies, and I'm certain they'd do the same for me. And it all stems from those seeds of friendship sown in our youth.

By reaching out to old friends you might just find yourself experiencing increased laughter, new opportunities and valuable collaborations. So don't hesitate—send that message or make that call. You never know what wonderful surprises await you within your childhood treasure chest.

Invitation

Reconnect with someone from your past. Find two or three people who had an impact on you when you were younger. They’ll probably be as thrilled to hear from you as you are to reach out to them.

Share in the comments

Share who you plan to reach out to and what’s motivating you to reconnect. Please circle back and let us know how it goes!

Thanks, have a great week, and see you next Thursday!