I had this happen recently with such incredibly strong coincidental timing (a few hours after years of no contact) that I had to do some research. One word is

I had this happen recently with such incredibly strong coincidental timing (a few hours after years of no contact) that I had to do some research. One word is "synchronicity", but it's a somewhat disparaging term that does not really allow for a possible physical explanation. Skipping over any quantum entangle-y coolness, my personal guess is that since we are strongly cyclical creatures, if two people have experienced a strong memory together (or some unity of mind/spirit), their minds likely re-process those memories on similar receding timelines. It's well known that the brain has a forgetfulness curve, and I'm sure it has a "remembering curve" just as well. It'd be interesting to do a study where you pair up random people and have them experience some really unique memory together and then for 5-10 years have them write down the date/time(s) they re-experience it. That of course might mess with the curve since it would aid in memory, but I'm not the scientist here...