Real Stories - Pat and Elizabeth

2008 Site-based Match of the Year

Pat and Elizabeth share an hour a week but their friendship is on track for a lifetime.

And, in case Pat needs a reminder, she doesn’t need to look far. Elizabeth’s artwork wallpapers Pat’s refrigerator, claiming “Pat and Elizabeth: Best Friends Forever!”

Despite a 51-year age difference, Pat, 60 and Elizabeth, 9, immediately clicked when they met in March of 2007 in the Site-based Program at Saratoga Elementary School in Waukesha. They meet every Thursday after school and are easy to spot. Elizabeth is generous with hugs for Pat and both have ear-to-ear smiles and hearty laughs.

When together they do homework, art projects and play games. However, no meeting is complete without Pat communicating good advice on getting along with others and making good choices through her impromptu storytelling. In some stories Elizabeth is the heroine, the one who saves the day through good deeds and heroic action.

Despite several spinal surgeries and times when Pat was not able to come to the school, the two have remained in contact through e-mails, cards and phone calls. Nothing will keep these two from being “best friends forever!”