“In 2019, Natalie shared with People, ‘We just automatically became best friends and our parents realized it. It’s strange when you’re that age — you don’t usually hang out with the opposite sex. But from when we were 2 until we were 5, we were constantly together.'”
However, their close bond was abruptly severed when Natalie’s parents divorced when she was 5 years old.
“I remember the very last day that I saw him, not knowing that I wouldn’t see him for over a decade,” she recounted to People. “My last memory of him is (when) we made Rice Krispy treats in his parents’ kitchen… and then we were separated.”
As she grew older, Natalie often thought about Austin. “I briefly remember when I was 8 and 10, I would ask my mom about Austin and she would say, ‘I’m sure if you remember him, he remembers you,’” Natalie recalled. “But I had no way of getting in touch with him at the time.”
Years later, Natalie decided to search for her long-lost friend. She found her mom’s old phonebook and began the hunt.
“I knew his last name started with a T, but I don’t know why — I still have no idea to this day why — I went to his name out of all the names that were in there. This thing was full,” she explained. “As soon as I saw (his name and old address), I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I remember him.’ There was this overwhelming feeling of ‘I better go find him on Facebook before I miss out on this opportunity.'”
Natalie and Austin finally reconnected in July of 2012 and have been together ever since
