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Question from Anita: Rick, I have a problem, and I’m hoping you can help me figure out a solution.
When I was in grade school my best friend in the world moved away and I never saw her again. I think that was around 4th grade if memory serves.
The thing is I finally tracked down her profile on Facebook, but there’s no “Add Friend” button and no “Message” button. I can see her Timeline but I can’t post anything on it.
Do you know of ANY way possible that I can contact my long-lost friend?
I’ll be in your debt forever if you can help me!
Rick’s answer: Anita, it sounds like your long-lost friend has some pretty restrictive Privacy settings in place.
That could mean she has grown up to be a very private person, which in turn could mean that she might not be very receptive to being “found” by a long-lost friend. I’m not saying it’ll be like that, but I do believe you need to be prepared for that possibility.
Now, to answer your question, there really isn’t any way to try to contact your friend on Facebook directly, but there is a technique that has worked fairly well for others in the past…
Check out her Timeline and try to identify a couple of her friends who seem to be really close to her.
Send each of those friends a message explaining the situation in detail. Ask those friends to tell her that you would love to get in touch with her. If she’s interested, she’ll do it. But if you never hear from her you’ll know she isn’t interested in contacting you.
You can also try posting on her friends’ Timelines if you don’t receive a response from your messages. With any luck, this will work out and you’ll be reunited with your old friend before too long. If not, at least you’ll know you gave it your best shot.
Update from Anita: Rick – THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I sent messages to 4 of her friends and I got a message back from HER less than 2 hours later!
We’re now friends on Facebook and catching up as we speak! I have even become friends with one of her friends lol! Thanks again!!!!!!!!
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