Meet Big Sister Michelle and Little Sister Victoria, who have been matched through BBBS for 6 years, although that’s not when the duo first met.
Although the two now boast a long, successful match in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, their friendship did not start with their Big-Little Sister match-up. Rather, they were paired in a library program at Victoria’s school through a partnership with Michelle’s workplace. Over games and toys, it was a slow and steady process to find things in common with the sweet and shy fourth-grader.
One day, when the pair was directed to an art classroom for their weekly meet-up, Victoria’s quiet nature showed its first signs of opening up. Michelle discovered her small friend’s creativity, and they soon bonded over their shared love of arts and crafts.
“I was very shy, hesitant. I was a bit awkward, too, at the time,” said Victoria. “As we grew, I could talk to her about anything. I wasn't awkward anymore... We had a lot in common, which helped me grow closer to her quicker.”
When it was time to graduate from the library program, Michelle hoped she could continue to be a supportive presence in Victoria’s life, so she suggested enrolling in Big Brothers Big Sisters to continue their mentorship with the oversight and support provided by an organization. Thus began their official Big and Little Sister match.
After enrolling in the Community-Based program, the pair began to share their creative hobbies outside of school. They cooked meals together, baked treats for friends, and continued to use their creativity on art projects. Their mutual love of the outdoors also led them to new adventures: kayaking, gardening, inner tubing, walking, swimming, water skiing, and trying foods from different cultures. This Big and Little Sister duo also has their yearly traditions, such as decorating Michelle’s Christmas tree together and adding Victoria’s stocking to the fireplace.
Although Michelle and Victoria still like to plan activities to do, it no longer feels required. Their match evolved over the years, and now the two can simply hang out. Their “easy camaraderie” comes from their similar, gentle, quiet personalities.
Victoria looks back on learning how to water ski as one of her favorite memories together. Fall after fall, she knew it was going to take a while to learn, but Michelle reassured her every time.
“She was in the water with me, saying how I did good every time, making sure I never felt bad,” explained Victoria. “It was really fun because we got to laugh about it and make jokes about it, and I look back on it thinking it was fun and that I can learn from my mistakes.”
This is just one instance of Michelle rooting for Victoria from the sidelines, boosting her confidence during the learning process. Her mentor has been a reliable supporter of Victoria’s academic career, assisting with math and practicing French, along with encouraging her post-secondary plans.
“I feel like I'm one more solid adult who is on her team, cheering her on, exposing her to things maybe that she wouldn't have had a chance to be exposed to,” said Michelle.
Compared to their early days of crafts and games, a lot has changed over the seven years since. Now that Victoria is a junior in high school, a large focus of her life is preparing for after graduation: making sure she is on track for college, participating in school visits, and completing dual-credit classes. This Big Sister helps her Little research different aspects and skills needed to become a teacher (Victoria’s dream job), letting her decide what grade levels she is interested in teaching. Overall, she hopes for her Little to have the best launch into adulthood as possible.
“I talked to her about school, about the opportunities I could do, but I was already scared to take them, not wanting to fail,” explained Victoria. “She always told me that I would do great in them, and if it ever gets too hard, I could talk to a counselor and stuff like that to help me make decisions and be able to take the opportunity.”
Michelle finds it rewarding to invest time in a young person and be another supportive voice speaking into Victoria’s life. Mentorship allows her to be an extra trusted adult, outside of her Little’s already supportive family. Victoria’s mother finds this to be a helpful part of having her daughter in the program, as well.
“She’s a second person for Victoria to talk to and go over things with and things like that,” she said. “So that's helped me out ‘cause she's been able to see certain things not just from my perspective.”
Although she has learned so much, Victoria identifies three major lessons she’s taken from her mentorship:
- Looking on the bright side of life
- Serving others through volunteering and kindness
- Being a friend to those who need one
Victoria attributes her desire to volunteer and help others to her Big Sister’s influence. She and her mentor baked cookies for friends going through hard times, an act of kindness that resonates with the young mentee. On another occasion, the match pulled weeds for Michelle’s neighbor. The compassion and care her mentor exhibits, along with her positive optimism, inspire Victoria’s own service mindset.
“I used to be closed-in, but now I'm open-minded to everything, like helping people. It helps me grow to take opportunities in life, even if it's a small one,” explained Victoria.
“I'm always grateful for her because even when I'm having a hard time—she doesn't know—but she always brightens my day, and I'm a better person because of her helping me become a better person.”
Big Sister Michelle expects to champion her Little for as long as she knows her. Although college presents a significant life change for Victoria, the bond that forms over years of car-ride heart-to-hearts and weekly visits doesn’t easily break. Neither anticipates their friendship going anywhere.
“I just think Victoria is such a special person. I love her to pieces, and it's been a real privilege to be part of her life,” said Michelle.
