The fact you are reconnecting and at least conversing bodes well.

My initial first thought, as I started reading about professional social networking, made me think of one site in particular, linking up certain addresses to a certain big email server.

First someone very close, got this message from a relative through this social site saying they wanted to connect . [emoji780][emoji780][emoji780]we talked about why this way, why now, type of thinking.
Then...just the other day, heard from same site about former coworker that we'd been in outside of work contact a couple of times, BUT...her job title. ..nope, which tied into my hunch. And brought back first conversation and what's the catch in getting various ppl in contact again? What's the business catch?

Not sure if that's close to your story. Can be positive, in ways, I'll contact my former coworker soon, anyways, but not through that site.