canon, the purdy family, getting the news last night. at their home this morning, a cool story that they found out their loved one's okay. but the way they found out. how this whole hook-up happened in first place. >> it was ann curry from the "today" show who made that connection via satellite phone with canon purdy in japan and the family here. you're all smiles this morning. what's it been like the last three days, hoe? >> quite overwhelming. we spent the last three days in front of the television, in front of computers, on the phone, i think i've been wearing this outfit for 72 hours. you know, just being really vigilant about trying to find some information. then the middle of the night last night, someone knocked on our door and had ann curry on the phone, then my sister. still a long journey ahead for everybody in japan. >> does social networking work in cases like these? >> apparently. i saw how you can get people's attention with it. so many of the news crews were checking in with twitter and saying, i'm live on the ground and w

this has been the busiest part of canon purdy's home here. 's been a long three days for this family. purdy had just arrived in japan where she recently taught english, but then the quake hit. and the family lost all communication with her. the last time they heard from canon was a text one hour before the earthquake saying she was headed to see her former students for graduation. the family waited by the phone on the computer, hoping to get some news, then the phone call from nbc news just before midnight last night. >> it was amazing. i was on the phone with ann curry, which i never thought would happen, first of all. and then i asked her, you know, ann curry, why are you calling me some luckily she was able to pass the phone right over to my sister in the most devastated area of japan. it was absolutely a shock and surprise and such a welcome thing to hear. >> reporter: the family is not sure when they'll see canon purdy again. she did lose her passport in the earthquake. it's still under the rubble of somewhere in japan. and she was also g