Help needed

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've been trying to manifest meeting / seeing someone very important and about 3 years ago it "worked" (kinda). I was in my car and turned over and I saw them in the car next to me. Everything was exactly how I imagined it. It went by so quickly so I didn't even get the chance to say hi before they drove off and now 3 years later I keep trying to manifest properly meeting them but Ive been unsuccessful. Btw this isn't some random person it's someone that is very dear to my heart and they care about me just as much. We always got separated as kids because of each of us moving to different places and since we were kids I never got their phone number or any social media. I don't understand why the 3d isn't aligning with my manifestation/the energy im in. Please help me out.