One Woman's Eerie Similarities To Her Classmate Were A Sign Of Something Much Bigger

On the first day of class, students can usually count on one thing: a round-table introduction, better known as "ice breakers." Most times, participants share a few details about themselves and exchange pleasantries before diving into the curriculum. But for Lizzie Valverde, a few words about her past turned her entire world on its head. One stranger in the classroom just stared at her — and the aftermath changed both their lives forever.

A nervous introduction

When two students walked into the introductory session for a creative writing class at the School of General Studies of Columbia University, they had no idea what they were getting into. Valverde had only enrolled for the course at the last minute and had no clue what she was about to set in motion as she cleared her throat and began to talk.

Family background

Her initial nervousness faded away. Then the 33-year-old gave her classmates a few facts about herself and her family background, with details that would leave one particular female student in disbelief.

An instant connection

Valverde had noticed the woman’s extreme reaction and, after the class had finished, watched as she approached. The two students then spoke further, and a line of questioning aimed at Valverde seemed to make up her interviewer’s mind.

A 30-year-old family mystery

The stranger subsequently told Valverde that she had helped solve a 30-year-old family mystery, and when the woman explained how, the news stunned both classmates. Valverde wondered if her classmate's story really could explain a mystery about her past.