---
title: Turning Strangers into Friends
description: What are you doing to make meaningful connections in your life?  You may be surprised by what can happen when you make the effort.
image: https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/female-friends-meeting-in-a-cafe-P4H4XLR.jpg
---

![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/female-friends-meeting-in-a-cafe-P4H4XLR.jpg)

How many opportunities for connections are we passing up each day? **Big Mama** turned this concept on its head with one visit to Washington, DC.  Find out what she did below. 

a visit to d.c.

One time, my grandmother "Big Mama" came to visit me in DC while I was there for an internship.  It was all very new to me being in another city, so I was still getting my bearings. To help me transition to the new city, I wanted my family to be there. That's why I invited my grandmother, mother, and sisters. 

When we were out walking, my grandmother decided that she was going to find one of my cousins who lived in the area.  It was a niece **Big Mama** hadn't seen in years.  --> *It may sound weird, but my grandmother was one of 13 and her family was spread all over the country. *

She knew her niece's first name, but she didn't know her last name. 

"i'm going to find her."

**My grandmother was determined to find a woman in a major city - with only her first name!**

For the entire trip, my grandmother would ask people randomly if they knew my cousin.  

Burger King - "Do you know Mina?" 

Walking down the street - "Excuse me, do you know Mina?"

My family thought it was funny: 'What is the likelihood she'll find somebody in a big city using only their first name?" 

It wasn't until the last day when the security guard in my building came to us and said, "I think I found someone named Mina who might be your niece." My grandmother looked at the name and immediately knew that it was her niece.

**What!?**

We called this person and a few moments later, we were all at her house having dinner! We ended up building an amazing relationship that I have treasured until today. 

none of this would have happened...

**...if my grandmother didn't have the amazing ability to make connections.**

**What are you doing to make connections?  How are you turning strangers into friends?**

 

*Editor's Note: This post was originally published in March 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.*

## Related Articles

[![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/black-grandparents-welcoming-guests-to-their-NQ3LAS6.jpg) ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/reach-into-your-roots)

[Purpose](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/purpose) [Passion](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/passion) [Initiative](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/initiative) [Family](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/family) [Self-Care](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/self-care)

### [The Power of Roots: Uncovering Your Purpose and Passion](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/reach-into-your-roots)

When considering what your unique purpose is in the world, it’s essential to reach into your roots. Only YOU have lived YOUR story. Where you have come from has made you...

![Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg?width=45&name=Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg) 

[Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh) 

[Read More](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/reach-into-your-roots)

[![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5-2.png) ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-if-you-want-to-take-action)

[Purpose](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/purpose) [Impact](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/impact) [Social Change](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/social-change) [Initiative](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/initiative)

### [5 Questions to Ask When You Think There is Nothing You Can Do](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-if-you-want-to-take-action)

Maybe you’re fed up. Maybe you’re inspired. Maybe you’re furious. Whatever it is, there is an issue that you want to take action about or something that you want to...

![Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg?width=45&name=Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg) 

[Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh) 

[Read More](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-if-you-want-to-take-action)

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3856324&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Deanna Singh",
    "url" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-04-24T17:50:27.811Z",
  "datePublished" : "2021-05-20T05:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Turning Strangers into Friends",
  "image" : [ "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/female-friends-meeting-in-a-cafe-P4H4XLR.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/turning-strangers-into-friends",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/2023%20Uplifting%20Impact%20Logo%20(60%20%C3%97%2060%20px).png"
    },
    "name" : "Flying Elephant"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "VideoObject",
  "contentUrl" : "https://3800673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3800673/March%20Vlog%20%235%20wcap%20FB%20and%20Web.mp4",
  "dateModified" : "2022-04-26T22:00:04.917Z",
  "duration" : "PT2M44S",
  "height" : 1080,
  "name" : "March Vlog #5 wcap FB and Web",
  "thumbnailUrl" : "https://api-na1.hubapi.com/filemanager/api/v3/files/thumbnail-redirect/27821547856?portalId=3800673&size=medium",
  "uploadDate" : "2020-03-31T15:28:18.401Z",
  "width" : 1920
}
```