I could never forget the day. It is forever in scripted in my heart. I walked into the cafeteria with my friend Kara and we took our seats as members of a new club.
Around us was every kind of person, but in that cafeteria it didn’t matter what you were wearing, who your friends were, or how many Facebook friends you had.
It was as if for that one hour high school expectations and stereotypes melted away. Everyone was each other’s friends and that was evident as we filed in, high fiving and introducing ourselves to many unfamiliar faces.
We then received a puzzle piece and were instructed to find our match. Micah Bonn was a quietly sitting in the back of the room holding his piece and looking around.
I slowly approached him only to discover that our puzzle pieces fit together perfectly. The only thing he said to me that day was, “Hi, I am Micah,” as he handed me a paper of his information.
Since that day, Micah has definitely spoken to me more; at times he just doesn’t stop. But little did I know that that day would lead into two more years of Best Buddies, and not just being in Best Buddies, leading over 100 people in making friendships, sustaining them, and of course having fun.
Being Chapter President was not easy, but it was more than rewarding. Over my two years as President, we created 72 friendships, we were announced in front of the entire student body at a pep rally, held an event to end the R-word for the entire school and were recognized by our Principal during his farewell speech at graduation.
I graduated from Winter Springs High School on June 8, 2010, and since then I have had plenty of long days on the beach, late nights, and time with friends to reflect on the past four years. But unlike most of my friends who cherish most the sporting events, their teachers, the grades they received, and who won Homecoming Queen, I cherish the friendships I made.
Next year I will be attending the University of Mississippi or “Ole Miss,” and plan to stay in contact with Micah. After eating lunch with him every day for two years I cannot even imagine my life without thinking of him. Not only did Micah become my buddy, but he became part of my family.
I am pretty sure Micah enjoyed playing and interacting with my two younger brothers more than hanging out with me. There’s no doubt in my mind that every holiday break the Simervilles’ and Bonns’ will be at a bowling alley catching up and competing for the highest bowling score.
Being Chapter President for two consecutive years was exhausting, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Best Buddies was a sacred place where your background, your family, your grades, and everything else doesn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was being yourself and opening your heart to people you would never expect to meet. Who knew a puzzle piece could mean so much?
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