Big Brother Brian & Little Brother Jayden
Meet Big Brother Brian and Little Brother Jayden who have been matched for 3 years now!
Big Brother Brian and Little Brother Jayden first met in November 2020 through our Community-Based mentoring program and have been matched ever since.
Before Brian
Jayden describes his 6th-grade life before meeting Brian as somewhat lonely. After his dad left when he was young, Jayden says he was left without an older male role model to look up to and give extra guidance. As most people will tell you, middle school is an important time to have someone to turn to.
“And I didn’t have very many friends because I didn’t really put myself out there,” Jayden said. Seeing the effect this had on her son, his mom thought Big Brothers Big Sisters might be able to help get Jayden more support. So, she signed him up to get a Big Brother.
Little Brother Jayden had no idea what to expect when his mom said he was getting a Big Brother. Taking this literally, Jayden said, “I thought my mom was adopting a kid.”
After clearing up the confusion, he was still nervous about meeting a stranger. But Brian wouldn’t stay a stranger for long!
Before Jayden
Before meeting Jayden, Brian was going through some big life changes too. In his home life, Brian’s daughter and son were getting older and were off doing their own things more and more. But for years Brian was also going through some health changes which took a lot of time and energy in his life after finding out he had a brain tumor. After getting it removed, he felt like the time was right to start something new.
“That was one thing that was kinda cleared up and out the way for me to have more energy to focus on other people,” said Brian.
Always one to get involved in the community, Brian was looking for the next avenue to give back. And he found it in Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization he was not unfamiliar with. Brian’s service attitude led him to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years through his band Wade’s World, a 90’s cover band of which he is the lead singer. Supporting the organization through fundraisers and even auctioning off the band for the Brad Miller Auction, Brian wondered why he had never volunteered to be a Big before. Especially looking to make a one-on-one difference in the community, he finally signed up to be a Big in 2020.
Match Memories
Both admit their first meeting was a little awkward at first. Jayden was nervous talking to a stranger and having to get to know someone from scratch, and Brian had to get used to having someone Jayden’s age around again. However, the two quickly became close.
“We were a good match from the start. It really was like a little brother, like somebody immediately part of my family, and that’s how I always try to treat everything,” said Brian.
One month after they first met, Jayden’s birthday rolled around. And then came one of his favorite memories of his Big:
“He got me a present: a card and a basketball. The card said, ‘Happy Birthday, old man,’” said Jayden. “And I still have the basketball today.”
Both fans of music, any type of sport, going out to eat, watching movies, and always up for a good laugh, the two would soon have lots of adventures together.
One of Brian’s favorite memories from over the years started one snowy, winter day. With the perfect weather for sledding, he and Jayden went sledding in Brian’s backyard. The day went by great, except Jayden was missing his winter hat by the end! After searching and searching, they gave up for the day. It wasn’t until two days later when Brian found it in a groundhog’s hole that they realized it had been stolen!
A Long Match in the Making
The two have built up a friendship of support, genuine interest in each other’s lives, and reliability. Jayden says that his Big Brother is always there for him—even when he doesn’t have to be:
“One day he cut off work for my track meet, but he didn’t have to,” said Jayden on why he knows his Big Brother will always support him.
Brian pointed out how caring Jayden is, saying that he cares a lot for his family, friends, and Brian, too.
“We always have long car drives whenever we get together, and when he gets in that car, he is ready to tell me what’s been going on and ask what’s happened with me. And so that’s really the best thing,” said Brian.
“It doesn’t really matter as much what we’re doing as long as we’re just hanging out and get a chance to talk and figure out what we’ve been doing since last time we saw each other.”
Making a Difference
Jayden says his Big Brother—whom he describes as tall, funny, caring, and loving—has good advice to share with him. Over the years, Jayden has learned a lot from his Big Brother and has taken his advice to heart. This has involved many talks and lessons which have brought about a change in Jayden, who used to run away often and struggle with feeling angry.
“And he’s told me that everything you want is what you can do,” said Jayden on what the biggest lesson he has learned is. This advice has helped Jayden see he can take charge of his life and actions.
Brian has seen this change, too, saying, “He seems to be able to handle things that come up and happen emotionally better than he could back then, and I think it’s helping him at school, too.”
“That’s not easy, I mean, he hasn’t always had the easiest life. So, I get it,” continued Brian. “But he doesn’t run anymore. He seems to be able to face the issues better.”
He also added that Jayden has taught him too, giving him an opportunity to learn joy and patience from his Little.
Why YOU Should Get Involved Too
Being in a match has made Jayden and Brian want to share their experience with others, in hopes that they might share in something BIG and something special too.
“It’s never too late to try something new,” said Jayden on why people should get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Brian had this to say:
“I would say stop thinking about it, and just do it… Just take that action. It’s just that simple.
Because I did. I thought about it for years, and then finally did it, and then I wish I would have done it sooner.”
Are you ready to “take that action” and become an Everyday Hero?
Wanting to make a difference? Learn more about volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters here. Wanting to take the next step? Start the application process here.
