Lloyd (Big Brother of the Year) and Christopher Sail Together

Even though Christopher was just six years old when he first met Lloyd, he knew right away that Lloyd was destined to be his Big Brother. At that very first meeting, they hit it off. But the real connection, or as Lloyd calls it the “miracle of bonding” took place soon after they first met when they visited a McDonald’s after going to a basketball game.

It seems that while they were eating, Little Brother Christopher was carefully watching other kids play on the Funland equipment. He stared and stared while Big Brother Lloyd waited for him to speak. Finally, Christopher said something “simple yet so profound. He said ‘if you will stand with me, the other kids will think I have a father.’”

From that moment forward their intense attachment has endured and even strengthened. They’ve done just about everything two guys can do together from working on fixing up the house and completing building projects to going to sporting events and hiking through the fields looking for arrowheads…Christopher has found seven arrowheads and a spearpoint…to scouting (Christopher is an Eagle Scout) and studying for school. One of their more interesting projects is restoring Model A Fords. You can see the quality of their work and watch them drive in the video below.

They’ve helped each other over the years. Big Brother Lloyd has learned to be more sensitive and caring. He’s received the gift and the joy of helping a fine young fellow grow into the exceptional young man that Christopher has become. Little Brother Christopher has gained a strong role model and mentor who has provided the support and guidance and encouragement he needed to guide him on his path to becoming a successful adult.

Ginger, Christopher’s mother, says that Lloyd has always been just a phone call away when she or Christopher needed to talk to him. He has been a pillar of strength and a role model of good character. She now sees this displayed in Christopher. It’s been such a great experience for Christopher that he’s already planning to be a Big so he can pass along all that Lloyd has taught him.

And that sailing we mentioned, well, it seems that the two of them are crew of the Friends Goodwill, a replica of an 1810 sailing ship! They have together learned how to do all the rigging and sail such a ship. They’ve gotten so good at this that they now dress up in full period uniform and take 30 passengers along for the sail. Now that’s a way to build a strong bond.

Congratulations Lloyd on becoming Big Brother of the Year. You sure deserve it. And congratulations Christopher on being such a great Little. You both do us proud. One final comment about this outstanding pair. In Christopher’s own words, “Lloyd is always happy to be there for me."