MONROE - When Virgil and Carol Leopold signed up to be a "big couple" for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Green County, they didn't know how lucky they'd get. They're now part of the longest running match in the program's history, having lasted over 12 years with their "little." No others have exceeded 10.
At the time, "little" Jared Hardy was 6 years old - the minimum age kids can be to join the program. The Leopolds met him in November 2001, after his mother warned them that he was very shy and may not take to them right away. But he opened up, taking his new "bigs" by the hand to show them his room.
"We've had a really good relationship, I think, from the very beginning," Virgil said.
"It was very easy," Hardy agreed. "I didn't have to try."
They got together about once a week after that first day until he began high school. Then, they continued to meet, but less regularly due to busy schedules. The Leopolds said they see Hardy more often than their grandchildren.
When he was younger, he often played with the extensive collection of Disney toys the Leopolds have in their basement. Carol and Virgil listed several other activities they enjoy together, including playing games and watching movies, and Hardy noted the traditions they began, such as driving around to see Christmas lights every winter.
Now, watching them interact is like watching close siblings or friends talk and joke with each other. And that's exactly how they see their relationship.
"(Hardy's) been a real inspiration for us, I think, in just continuing to do things and stay involved," Virgil said. "I think it's just developed into a really wonderful friendship."
"It's just something I get to look forward to every week," Hardy said.
He added the Leopolds have also helped shape him academically by encouraging him in his schoolwork. Both Carol and Virgil are retired teachers.
"It's kind of hard to avoid doing well in school when you're with teachers all the time," Hardy said, laughing.
Jared's mother Lynne said she enrolled him in the BBBS program because, as a single mother raising a boy, she felt it was important for him to have a Christian male role model who would be consistently in his life. And the Leopolds came with the added benefit of exposing him to a "loving, healthy marriage," she wrote in an email.
"I'm so thankful Jared's been in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and for Virgil and Carol's commitment," Lynne said. "I know it has helped shape his character in a positive way that I never could have."
Virgil insists he and Carol have benefited the most from their friendship, and Carol said Jared has kept them younger.
"It's been a blessing for us," Virgil said. "I think we gained more than he gained. I really think we did. I think it helped us grow as people."
Kirsten Boll, their BBBS case manager, said almost every match has its bumps, but their case file doesn't include any complaints or concerns.
"They set the bar for the model match," she said.
Jared is graduating high school on Sunday, which means he graduates from the BBBS program as well, but neither he nor the Leopolds intend that to be the end of their relationship.
He will be attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, this fall to study cinematic arts.
"I'll miss him, but I'm so happy for him, and I know we're going to be seeing him and see his name up in lights," Carol said.
The BBBS program has a waiting list of kids looking for their match as fewer adults apply to be "bigs." Virgil said he and Carol would do it again if they were younger and weren't traveling so much.
"I really highly encourage anybody who thinks that they can do this," Virgil said. "It's wonderful. It's a great program."
To get involved with BBBS of Green County, call 608-325-7855 or visit bbbsgreencounty.org.
At the time, "little" Jared Hardy was 6 years old - the minimum age kids can be to join the program. The Leopolds met him in November 2001, after his mother warned them that he was very shy and may not take to them right away. But he opened up, taking his new "bigs" by the hand to show them his room.
"We've had a really good relationship, I think, from the very beginning," Virgil said.
"It was very easy," Hardy agreed. "I didn't have to try."
They got together about once a week after that first day until he began high school. Then, they continued to meet, but less regularly due to busy schedules. The Leopolds said they see Hardy more often than their grandchildren.
When he was younger, he often played with the extensive collection of Disney toys the Leopolds have in their basement. Carol and Virgil listed several other activities they enjoy together, including playing games and watching movies, and Hardy noted the traditions they began, such as driving around to see Christmas lights every winter.
Now, watching them interact is like watching close siblings or friends talk and joke with each other. And that's exactly how they see their relationship.
"(Hardy's) been a real inspiration for us, I think, in just continuing to do things and stay involved," Virgil said. "I think it's just developed into a really wonderful friendship."
"It's just something I get to look forward to every week," Hardy said.
He added the Leopolds have also helped shape him academically by encouraging him in his schoolwork. Both Carol and Virgil are retired teachers.
"It's kind of hard to avoid doing well in school when you're with teachers all the time," Hardy said, laughing.
Jared's mother Lynne said she enrolled him in the BBBS program because, as a single mother raising a boy, she felt it was important for him to have a Christian male role model who would be consistently in his life. And the Leopolds came with the added benefit of exposing him to a "loving, healthy marriage," she wrote in an email.
"I'm so thankful Jared's been in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and for Virgil and Carol's commitment," Lynne said. "I know it has helped shape his character in a positive way that I never could have."
Virgil insists he and Carol have benefited the most from their friendship, and Carol said Jared has kept them younger.
"It's been a blessing for us," Virgil said. "I think we gained more than he gained. I really think we did. I think it helped us grow as people."
Kirsten Boll, their BBBS case manager, said almost every match has its bumps, but their case file doesn't include any complaints or concerns.
"They set the bar for the model match," she said.
Jared is graduating high school on Sunday, which means he graduates from the BBBS program as well, but neither he nor the Leopolds intend that to be the end of their relationship.
He will be attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, this fall to study cinematic arts.
"I'll miss him, but I'm so happy for him, and I know we're going to be seeing him and see his name up in lights," Carol said.
The BBBS program has a waiting list of kids looking for their match as fewer adults apply to be "bigs." Virgil said he and Carol would do it again if they were younger and weren't traveling so much.
"I really highly encourage anybody who thinks that they can do this," Virgil said. "It's wonderful. It's a great program."
To get involved with BBBS of Green County, call 608-325-7855 or visit bbbsgreencounty.org.