When Annie is away from me, I sometimes become a bit nostalgic. I went online (gotta love the 'Net), and located a friend of mine from college. We were pretty close, but drifted apart when he left school for "the Real World", and I continued on through graduate school. I was surprised to find that he was no longer a mechanical engineer, but had become a web designer/marketer. I had tried to call once before, but couldn't get him in person. I didn't leave a message, because I couldn't resist messing with him a little. Last night I finally got him:

Me: Mr. S?
Him: Yes, this is Mr. S.
Me: I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of you designing a web site for me.
Him: Ok. You have probably seen our web site showcasing some of our work. Unfortunately, it's a little out of date. We've been very busy.
Me: I understand. A plumber's house always leaks!
Him: (laughs) Exactly.
Me: Can you tell me about some of the work you've done?
Him: (Patiently explains to me some of the work he has done, and some of the clients.)
Me: Interesting. Well, I'm looking at starting an adult web site. Have you had any experience with pornography sites?
Him: Um... No... I haven't... er... actually worked on any ... um... of those kinds of sites...
Me: Paul?
Him: (I can almost see the look on his face.) Yes?
Me: This is David Hockanson.
Him: (complete silence as relief floods through him, and memories pour in)

At this point I just busted out laughing. It was great, and he has vowed to get me back somehow. We had not heard from each other in over ten years, but started talking like we had seen each other yesterday. We ribbed each other about our kids: "your son has your ears!", "thank goodness your daughter doesn't look like you!" We tried to update each other on our lives as best as we could, giving the highlights of the past ten years in about an hour. I dare say, his highlights were much more pleasant than mine, and I was very happy that things were going well for him.

It was great to reconnect with someone I used to be close to. We shared many beers over lost loves and dreams of creating the next Bell Labs. They were great dreams, and those lost loves are resigned to memory without regret.

If you ever find yourself wondering what someone from your past is doing (hopefully not ex's), find them. It is worth the effort.
We're not old, just kids trapped in aging bodies...