Amaree & Michelle

Meet Amaree and Michelle! First connected in 2019, this match has weathered the challenges of the pandemic years with laughter, joy, and great communication. Although Amaree recently graduated from high school, both Big and Little agree that their bond is strong and that their relationship will continue throughout her college years and beyond. This genuine connection and commitment to each other no matter what life throws at them is why they are our August Match of the Month! Congratulations to you both! We wish you nothing but the best in all of your future endeavors! 


Despite spending almost a year of their match struggling to find ways to connect within the limits of Covid restrictions, Amaree and Michelle have still been able to make some wonderful memories together. They both have loved trying new cuisines together, sampling foods from around the world, including Cuban, Indian, Thai, and Nigerian, which ended up being a favorite. They’ve also loved riding the Q in Detroit and exploring the shops along Woodward avenue together and even took a few Salsa dancing lessons, both through a BBBS event and at a dance studio in Ann Arbor. 


In the best matches, the Big teaches the Little new things and empowers them to expand their horizons and the Little does the same for the Big. That has definitely been the case with Amaree and Michelle! After Michelle introduced Amaree to kayaking, Amaree returned the favor by teaching Michelle how to play chess and playing together online became one of their favorite ways to connect when they couldn’t see each other face to face. This also helped both of them overcome their natural introverted tendencies and reach out to each other. As Michelle put it, “As an individual, I had to overcome taking the lead on communication in a way that I really hadn't before. But I also think it made the moments of easy connection and deep connection sweeter in a way.”

Since the beginning, Michelle has been impressed with Amaree’s intelligence, bravery, sense of adventure, and potential, and has been there to nurture and defend these traits for the last three and a half years. Throughout their match, Michelle has been one of Amaree’s biggest supporters. Now, with Amaree in the process of getting ready to attend EMU and study social work, she knows that she is taking a strengthened sense of personal empowerment and esteem with her and will always have her friend Michelle there to encourage her.