I'm a Big and I've been matched with my Little for almost two years. It really has been the most amazing experience. We're very close and we call each other "sister."

I really like that the emphasis on the program is to incorporate a child into your life as it is. You're not supposed to be taking them to Chuck E. Cheese every other weekend. My little loves going to the grocery store, loves recycling deposit bottles. Now she's interested in regular household recycling and I got her a blue bin and everything. We bake cookies together, go to Home Depot and look at paint colors, run errands, go to the library (she loves the hamster at the Crane branch!), practice her spelling bee words...there are all sorts of things we do for free. Also, the program does provide lots of opportunities - there are parties almost every month where you can get together with other matches, sports tickets, movie tickets, horseback riding lessons - all sorts of things.

It is so rewarding and really fun. I strongly encourage anyone who is considering it. The program asks for two hours twice a month, but it's not rigidly controlled. Sometimes I get really busy with school or work and we'll put it off for a week or two and I just make sure I spend more time with her the next time we're together - not because I have to but because I want to. She's really had a positive impact on my life.