How should I respond to this person on Facebook?

First of all, I wouldn’t respond to her message on timeline. I would pm her. I don’t usually put personal message-type stuff on timeline for all to see.

Why do you think she doesn’t know you? I’d suggest her use of stranger is just a way of saying it’s been so long since I’ve seen you, you’re almost a stranger. She quite possibly isn’t being literal. I’d just say hi back and tell her how you’ve been and take it from there. You’ll soon know if she really doesn’t remember you. Does it matter if she doesn’t remember you? You remember her and wanted to re-connect. I hardly remember anyone I went to school with but I’d be happy to reconnect with people and jog my memory.

I would just answer, “I’ve been good.”

It doesn’t sound like you really care about catching up with her, or that you were close friends. If you want to talk to her more in depth I would put it in a private message like @jca suggested.

I’d write “Great! I’ll send you a private message with the details.” I’d then send a short 3 sentence update and close with a 4th sentence “How’s by you?”. Then wait for a response.

mmm, I think you may have to play it out a little more with a “benefit of doubt” approach. I think you will know the truth for sure in two to three exchanges, or when you receive the mass marketing post to your page, or a thousand game request. lol

I personally will ask a someone I don’t recognize who they are and where they know me from; and I’ve had others ask me the same. Usually I can figure it out based on friends we have in common.

In the situation you describe, where it was you who sent the request and their response was vague, I might reply to them, “I wasn’t sure if you’d remember me, it’s been so long and we were only in that one Biology class together” (or whatever situation is appropriate). Then I’d see how they react to that.

Having grown up and being immersed in the social media era, I’m almost positive that she is calling you stranger because of reasons @Earthbound_Misfit explained: she means it in a welcoming, where-have-you-been-in-my-life kind of way. I see it used on Facebook all the time when there’s 2 people who used to be close who haven’t seen each other in a while and are just catching up again.