Day 359. Old Friends

When it comes to social media I think most of us are the same.  We seem to have a love/hate relationship with it, especially with Facebook.  But as frustrated as I may get, I still end up in the same place:  Loving how social media keeps us connected.

Those of you who have been reading my blog since the beginning know I spent some time working in the fashion industry, where I handled all the advertising and P.R. for Leo Chevalier, one of Canada’s leading fashion designers.  While it was the manufacturer of his collection of women’s dresses and sportswear I actually worked for, and while I did do some work for other lines they carried, he was the focus of most of my attention.

My office was in Leo’s design studio, on a different floor than the rest of the company.  We had great space.  Leo, his wife and his design assistant shared a HUGE office/studio.  In addition to my office, there was another one, as well.  Originally it was for the gal who ran his perfume company.  But when he closed that down, his fabric buyer moved in.  We also had an enormous stock room in the back, which was perfect for all our accessories, samples, photographs, press kits, videos, you name it.

We also had our own reception area.

Which, needless to say, meant we needed a receptionist/assistant.  We were very naughty.  We poached the company receptionist from upstairs.  We couldn’t help ourselves.  She was perfect for us.

Tall and statuesque, she owned the room the minute she walked through the door.  Larger-than-life personality.  Masses of long, curly, chestnut-coloured hair.  Flawless, peaches and cream completion.  Make-up so expertly applied, you’d have sworn she went to a professional on her way to work every day.

But I think what we loved most about her was, she tolerated no nonsense.  Not from anyone, including us.  She was a take-charge gal.  We never had to ask her to do anything.  Or explain anything.  She knew, instinctively what had to be done.  And the best way to do it.  She simply took over.  We were in the best, possible hands.

Life being what it is, nothing lasts forever.  In the fullness of time D fell in love, got married and moved on.  I’m not sure of the exact date, but I’m guessing I haven’t seen, or heard from her, for the better part of thirty-three years.  Maybe even a bit longer.

This past Saturday night, totally out of the blue, she commented on one of my blog posts.  She didn’t use her full name, just an initial and her family name.  But I was sure it was her. And in an instant, our ‘history’ all came flooding back to me.  Like I was watching a film.  I have goosebumps as I write this.  I responded, but said nothing else.  But I stared and stared at her comment.  I’d shut down my computer and then boot it up again.  I’d go back and read and re-read her comment.

Finally I couldn’t stand it anymore.  I HAD to know.  What’s the worst that could happen?  It wouldn’t be her.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  So I screwed up my courage and replied to her comment:  “Are you who I think you are?” I asked.

“Yes”, was her answer.

Can you believe it?  I still can’t.  And I still haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face.

All those years and suddenly she was back in my life.  All because she found my blog.  It seems she’d Googled Leo Chevalier for some reason, and I showed up.  That’s all it took.

Needless to say we emailed back and forth until quite late.  In mere minutes, thirty-odd years simply evaporated.  Poof!  Just like that!!!!  She’s still married to the same guy.  She has a 29 year old son.  He’s older than she was, when she worked with us.

Could this have happened without the Internet, without social media, without Google, without my blog?  NEVER.  I’ll be sure to remember this the next time I get pissed off with something to do with technology.  And until then …

I wonder if she’s still bossy …