First, relive the old times. Take the time to reminisce and share fond memories. Remember why and how you became friends in the first place with a trip down memory lane. Revel in the old friendship for a bit before moving on to a new type of friendship.

Second, get to know each other now. Ask and discuss where each of you are currently at in your lives at this time. Depending on when you lost touch there could be a lot of things to discuss. Did you both go to college or any further schooling? Are there families or grandkids in their life? What types of jobs have they had? Basically you will want to know what happened to them since the last time you were in touch.

Third, find out about current interests or hobbies. This can give you a building block to create a relationship. Think of doing something together that will help you to reconnect. This can be something simple like walking or taking classes together. Knowing current interests and hobbies can also allow you to analyze if you want to keep pursuing the old friendship.

Fourth, listen. Listen to the twists and turns their life has taken. It may be months of absence from each other or years. Listen to the things that have now become important to your old friend. Be as empathetic as you can. Show your sincerity with a touch of the hand or comment. Listen to what has gone on in their life since you last parted ways.

Fifth, take time. Reconnecting with old friends can take time and be awkward at first depending on how much time has passed. Realize that it may take awhile to get back to the way the friendship use to be.
Sixth, be understanding. Maybe there was a reason why you lost touch with the old friend. If you feel enough time has passed then talk about it. But understand that there could still be hurt or misunderstandings on the other side of the old friendship.

Seventh, realize when you are just too different. You've reconnected with your old friend and talked about old times. Maybe too much has happened in your lives to actually become friends again. They could be leading a different life than they were before or even you could be. Realize that maybe you aren't compatible as friends anymore.

Reconnecting with old friends can be a hard task but it can also be a very rewarding task. After years of an absence it can be hard to pick up and create a friendship again. Sometimes just a few months absence can feel like years. You may find that it doesn't always work out but listening and caring can be a good way to help the old friendship become new again.