Katelyn is 16 years old and 3 years ago she moved to America with her family. She thought she'd never see her best friends again, but one day a random surprise proved her very wrong...
Katelyn's Story
Three years ago, my dad got offered a job in Manhattan. It was a great opportunity for him and it meant way more money for the family so I was happy to move, but it did mean leaving our friends and family.
Saying Goodbye
I was in my second year of high school at this point and found myself saying goodbye after only a year and a bit at the school. Those goodbyes were tough; I knew the chances were I'd never see these people again. It was especially hard saying my goodbyes to two girls: Tara and Lizzy.
“Tara and Lizzy were my best friends in the whole world”
Tara and Lizzy were my best friends in the whole world and were the only two people I really felt I clicked with. We hung out almost every day after school, so it was going to be weird not having them about. I was going to miss them a lot.
Soon the day came and it was time to leave. After a very tearful goodbye to Tara and Lizzy, my family and I got on the plane and flew to America.
A new life
Our first two weeks in Manhattan were pretty hectic. We'd moved in to this lovely house, much bigger than our one back home. Things were so busy I didn't really have a chance to feel lonely or miss my old life back in England. I think I was lucky in that respect, because it could have been really difficult to adjust. Before I knew it, I was settled into my new school and got in with a group of really nice girls.
Three years passed and, slowly, I lost contact with my friends back in England. It wasn't purposeful - it was just so hard to find the time to keep in touch. That's why what happened next was so completely crazy.
*Some names may have been changed.
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A familiar voice
It was Christmas and I was hanging out with my American friends, shopping in the centre of New York. One of the girls, Mandy, wanted to go into this really expensive shop to get a sweater for her boyfriend. We all quickly agreed, 'cos it just so happened that only male models worked in that shop! As she was choosing, the rest of us were hanging around, chatting.
I was looking at vest tops when I heard a voice I thought I recognised. I looked over in the opposite direction to my friends to where two girls seemed to be having an argument. They both had an English accent.
“I heard a voice I thought I recognised”
I couldn't see their faces, so I moved around to get a better view. One of the girls felt me looking and turned around. She stared at me and looked shocked. I stared back, she looked so familiar. We stood there staring at each other for a few moments, trying to work out who each other was. Then I got it.
Best. Surprise. Ever.
'Lizzyyyyyyyyyy!!!' I rushed over to her.
'Omigodd!! Katelyn!!' She screamed.
Yes, it was Lizzy, my best friend back in England... and I'd bumped into her in the middle of New York!! I couldn't believe it. I was so excited.
It turned out she was staying for two weeks. For those two weeks, we hung out together nearly every day, it was just like old times and reminded us both of what an awesome friendship we'd had. We knew it was silly that we hadn't made more effort to stay in touch, but decided that from now on, we would.
Friends forever
Even now, ages after she left New York, we have video chats almost every day and with Tara too. I may be in a completely different continent, but I think that we'll be my best friends forever. It took a random coincidence to reunite us and now that we're friends again, I know not even miles and miles of sea will split us up.
People often think long distance friendships don't work, but we're proving that they do and that they're just as fab as the usual ones, if not even more special!
Slink Says:
We just love stories of random coincidences (especially when they end so happily). Once, Slink Vicki's dad bumped into someone from his work in India. INDIA!! What are the chances?? Let us know if you've ever had something similar happen to you by using the comments form above.
Also, check out Slink's advice on How to be a Great Friend
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
bekka, 14
what happened to me is pretty similar, my best friend sarah moved away to canada when we were in year four, and about a year ago i found out that i was canadian and that we were moving there soon. After losing contact with sarah about six months after she left, i never thought i'd see her again, but recently she found me on facebook, and strangely enough, she lives half an hour away from where i'm moving to! i'm so excited because i'll be able to hang out with her a lot :) it really is a small world!
Louisa-Mai , 12
when i went to america, just before starting high school (im in yr 8 now) i met a girl called meliz(mel) at the airport going back. she was really nice, and english, like me, so i asked her where she lived. she told me and it turned out it was only a few miles from where i live! i said what school i was starting, and she said, OMG, thats where im starting too!sadly i dont realy talk to her any more :(but still really coolo!!!LOL xxx
ashly, 13
you are so lucky that you found your best friends in new york, i moved to england from malaysia a few years ago and lost my best friend completely, when i went back to malaysia fr visiting, my friend told me she moved to ireland, but i never contact her now, coz nobody gave me her contact
Kirsty, 15
I went on holiday last year to majorca with my family and i bumped in to two people from my school at the hotel i was staying in!! it was so strange xx
jessi, 14
last year i was in disney land for christmas with my familie and was walking back to our car after a huuuuge nightime firework display ther wer so many people it was chaotic when i turned round to look for my mum and dad i heard the laugh of one of my high school m8s that i had known for 5years she has a really distinctiv laugh that u cant mis i was so shocked i just stood there with my mouth hanging open. It really is a small world... xxxx
J, 16
Aww! that's great! i just moved to a new country and im finding it difficult to make friends but my best mates back home call everyday! this story really makes me happy! hopefully my mates back home and i will always be BFF's!
bubbles, 14
i was on holiday in the other side of england. me and my mum were taking pictures on the beach i heard a familiar voice and it was one of my friends from my sports club. how weired.
Rubi, 16
OMG. That's so amazing! I know how you feel (about people sayin long distance friendships don't work) My parents openly said they didn't think me and my besty would stay um.. besties lol (I moved from Wales to England - i know it's not exactly the same thing) but anyway the short and short of it is YAY!!! good for you!!!
Holly, 14
Ohh wowweee. i think thats awesomee :) what a coincidence :O.. hahaa i'm glad that you to have been "reunited" together because this certainly sounds like a friendship that shouldn't be lost. Best wishes to you both. x
Frankii, 16
I once went on holiday and we befriended a family from Middlesbrough which is where my mam is from and after talking to them for a while it turned out we were related to them!
Beccy, 16
Its unbelievable it really is but the same thing happened to me and my family a few years ago, we met this family in greece the year before and the year after we saw them it was unbelievable because you dont expect to see people you met off holiday again its like a once in a life experience : )
Cara, 16
Haha i know its so weird when that happens. Once when i was quite young i bumped into my best friend at Legoland, we both had no idea we were going! And the other which was far more recent is that i was in los angeles in the summer and in a carpark when i heard my name, it turned out we'd parked 2 spaces next to a girl in my year!! We both had no idea we were even going to america either. Small world :D
