Good for you for getting together with a friend. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself, and I totally agree that helping other people is a good distraction from our own situations. In fact, it usually makes me feel like my problems aren't so terrible... it can always been worse.
You saw my own post re: the email and then the text. I was feeling the same way about the LRT and not seeing any results. To answer your question, obviously I'm new to this too and maybe others will jump in with thoughts on how long to keep trying one technique before doing something different... the DR book I think suggests a couple weeks. So, maybe try a friendly how are you... but keep it short, don't talk about yourself too much - it's all about him right now... and end the conversation first.
