12/22/2025
Scrolling through Facebook, I suddenly saw a PHOTO OF MYSELF from my youth — and it turned out my first love had been searching for me FOR 45 YEARS.
I'm Susan, 67. I work as a nurse and I still take extra shifts.
It helps me support my daughter financially; she's raising two children. They're my whole world.
My husband and I separated many years ago. Since then, I haven't built any relationships.
So my life is quiet and predictable.
Christmas was approaching when I came home after my last shift before the holiday. I was exhausted.
I reheated some leftovers, made myself a cup of tea, and opened Facebook to relax for a moment.
After a few minutes of scrolling, I froze.
I saw a FAMILIAR PHOTO that had been shared by many people, which is probably why it appeared in my feed.
An old, faded picture of two young people standing close to each other, smiling awkwardly.
I recognized the place, I recognized the man in the photo… and I recognized myself. It was a photo from my college years.
The man next to me was Daniel. My first love.
We dated for some time until one day he DISAPPEARED without warning. His family moved to the other side of the country, and all contact was lost 35 years ago.
For most of my adult life, I carried the unanswered question of what really happened.
Under the photo was a short message:
"I am looking for the woman in this photo. Her name is Susan. I have been searching for her for decades — checking every college, but without success. If anyone knows where she is, please let me know.
I NEED TO RETURN SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO HER. SOMETHING I HAVE KEPT FOR 45 YEARS."
I closed the app, my heart pounding. I didn't know what to do.
I went to bed thinking that maybe in the morning I would have an answer.
But I couldn't sleep — I kept thinking about Daniel and that message.
Gathering my courage, I opened the post again.
AND I WROTE TO HIM. ⬇️