Our matches always start with what I call the "blind date" meeting, or the "Match meeting" as it is actually called.  The reason that I call it the "blind date meeting" is because this meeting is the first time that a potential Big and Little get to meet to decide if the other person has the potential to be a good and lasting friend.  The parallels between a match meeting and blind date are amazing to me...

Most people come to the match meeting very excited and a little bit nervous about meeting a new potential someone special.  As with any first meeting, it is hard to know in so short a time what the other person is actually like.  Luckily for our Littles, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa puts a lot of effort into determining who would be a good fit for them before a match is even suggested.  Just like a blind date though, in order for the relationship to succeed, it will require a lot of time and effort from everyone involved. 

As Mentoring Coordinators, we get to see all of the effort and time that goes into our matches and how rewarding the results can be.  One of the Bigs that I work with put it the best when she said "I used to see the outings I went on with my Little as being something that I had to fit into my weekend, but now I see it as a part of my weekend that would be missing otherwise." 

Every match will have its challenges and opportunities, but for the ones that can work through them, there are very valuable lessons and a lot of happiness to be shared.