It was one of the most exhilarating experiences that I’ll always cherish. It was like a long awaited wish fulfilled. It was totally unbelievable.

StrussiBoy and I became friends when we were barely 3 years old! (there was a deep sense of bonding and attachment even at that age as if we were siblings). We used to go to the same nursery and then preparatory school in England. Our mothers were good friends too. We used to play with each other most of the time and would cry and hide from our mothers whenever they came to take us away back home. We would eat from the same plate while one of our mothers would feed us otherwise not at all. In a nutshell, we have spent one of our wonderful childhood memories together. And recently, we were told that we used to be quite daring and mischievous but only when we were together.

It was one of the most exhilarating experiences that I’ll always cherish. It was like a long awaited wish fulfilled. It was totally unbelievable.

StrussiBoy and I became friends when we were barely 3 years old! (there was a deep sense of bonding and attachment even at that age as if we were siblings). We used to go to the same nursery and then preparatory school in England. Our mothers were good friends too. We used to play with each other most of the time and would cry and hide from our mothers whenever they came to take us away back home. We would eat from the same plate while one of our mothers would feed us otherwise not at all. In a nutshell, we have spent one of our wonderful childhood memories together. And recently, we were told that we used to be quite daring and mischievous but only when we were together.

Finally, after 17 long years, I got to meet Strussiboy on my first day in London where, incidentally, he had also come for a conference. It was a huge surprise! We didn’t expect to meet the first day itself as his visits to London were very uncommon and we had been unable to contact each other earlier in order to fix a meeting. I can’t thank the Almighty any less for this wonderful timing and reunion. It was one of the best and most cherishable feelings in the world. We just couldn't hold back our tears of joy and disbelief. We couldn’t stop holding hands and I realized her hands were still chubby and soft and the clasp still felt the same as it did in childhood. Nothing had changed in our friendship with each other except for the huge time gap.

We did spend half an hour in a nearby cafe only to leave for our different appointments after that.

Since then on, we got to meet a few times briefly as much as our hectic schedules would permit. And we made the most of our precious time by going around London and Cornwall where we spent our childhood together along with meeting each others’ relatives and friends on the way. She even took me to our familiar places with her sister and friends-our nursery and preparatory school, my house, parks, market place, beaches where we shared interesting stories about our fond memories and life till date. It was indeed a trip down memory lane!

A year later, Fatima even came down to our house in India to celebrate my birthday and meet my family after a really long time which made my birthday even more special and joyous. It was another delightful surprise. We enjoyed ourselves a lot and even visited nearby places without missing out on the local and native activities that would fascinate a tourist.

Needless to say, we still keep in touch. We have our own sweet ways of remembering each other through post-cards, gifts and cards on special occasions whenever we do.

Our families also got to meet each other finally after that and that’s another wonderful time we all had. Looking forward to more get togethers soon.

I feel blessed to have such a long lasting bond of friendship. It gives meaning to life and makes it even more beautiful.