Balloons, brave conversations, and someone in her corner: Savannah & Cydney

When Big Cydney and Little Savannah were first matched in October 2025, there was already plenty of spark between them. They clicked over fashion, TikTok, makeup, and all the fun, girlie details that make it easy to start talking. But over the past several months, their match has grown into something deeper: a relationship where Savannah feels seen, celebrated, and more confident in speaking up for herself as she grows into a rising sixth grader.


The first day they turned balloons into a band
Their first day together had all the ingredients of a new match: activities about school, future goals, and getting to know one another. But the moment that sticks is what happened after. Savannah and Cydney grabbed some balloons and started making music with the funny noises they made as the air rushed out, turning the room into their own little band. It was silly, creative, and completely kid-led, the kind of moment that says a lot without trying too hard. They were already building something real.


A Big who listens past the surface
As the year went on, Cydney kept doing something simple and powerful: she paid attention. When Savannah was having a hard time with a school adult, Cydney did not brush it off or rush past it. She listened, asked follow-up questions, and worked with BBBS staff on ways to help Savannah navigate those big feelings with more confidence. That matters. Sometimes the best support is not swooping in to solve everything, but helping a young person feel heard and giving them tools to handle the next hard moment a little differently.


The week they talked about vulnerability
One of the most meaningful shifts in this match came when Cydney asked for more than just icebreaker conversation. She wanted to talk about vulnerability. BBBS staff built an activity around that theme, and suddenly the two of them were talking about safe people, boundaries, and how to know when it is okay to open up. For a younger Little, those are big conversations. For a Big to help create that space on purpose says something important about the kind of relationship Cydney is building, one that makes room for both fun and trust.


Showing up for the spotlight
Savannah loves to share the things she is proud of, a dance move, a hairstyle she worked hard on, a role in a school assembly or play. Cydney notices those moments and celebrates them. She has watched Savannah proudly show off the parts she is practicing for school performances and has made time in her schedule to come see her perform. That kind of showing up leaves a mark. It teaches a young person that their joy matters, their effort matters, and somebody is cheering for them from the audience.


Find it here
Savannah says her Big is special to her, “like a sister.” Cydney says she is proud of Savannah’s growth, how much more open she has become, and how she is learning to handle more on her own. Maybe that is what they have found here together: spirit, trust, and a relationship sturdy enough to hold both laughter and growing up. For this match, their paper plate awards say a lot. A match that wins “Most Likely to Start a Dance” and “Best Spirit” has clearly found something worth celebrating. And that is why mentoring matters in 2026. It is the kind of connection that helps a young person feel supported, celebrated, and stronger in who they are becoming. You too can find joy and connection like Cydney and Savannah. Become a Big, and find it here.