Neither Allison Moulson or Edward Parker knew quite what they were getting themselves into when they agreed to participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters in-school mentoring program. For Allison, then 24 years old and considering a career in education, it was to be a means of volunteering with children. Edward, just eight-years-old at the time and living with a single father and older brother, wasnB次元官网网址檛 entirely sure what he hoped to gain from the experience, but he had some idea with whom heB次元官网网址檇 like to share it.

B次元官网网址淚 chose a big sister because I didnB次元官网网址檛 have a mother or a girl in my life that I could do stuff with,B次元官网网址� said Edward, now 14 years-old and sporting pink hair beneath his toque. B次元官网网址淚 chose a sister and they chose her.B次元官网网址�

Though she had no part in the matching process, Allison felt a desire to connect with Edward once she heard of his earnest request.

B次元官网网址淚 really wanted to be a positive role model in his life from the beginning. I wanted him to know what it was like to have a mom in his life and I try to be that person for him, to have that type of relationship.B次元官网网址�

The pair initially met at Cloverdale elementary where Edward was a student and played a round of Guess Who. Over the years, they moved from playing board games and chatting at Cloverdale, to a community program that allowed them to enjoy activities around town. Today Edward and Allison are technically enrolled in a couples match program through BBBS due to AllisonB次元官网网址檚 husband NathanaelB次元官网网址檚 equal involvement with Edward, though neither of the three would explain their relationship in terms of Big Brothers Big SistersB次元官网网址� programming framework.

B次元官网网址淚t eventually got to the point where we would do things as a family,B次元官网网址� said Nathanael, a naval officer. B次元官网网址淥nce you start putting names and faces to an effort like that, youB次元官网网址檙e no longer doing it because itB次元官网网址檚 for Big Brothers Big Sisters; youB次元官网网址檙e doing it because itB次元官网网址檚 for a person.B次元官网网址�

Not without the standard trials and tribulations of life B次元官网网址� such as piercing his lip and later accepting NathanaelB次元官网网址檚 bribe to remove the facial jewelry B次元官网网址� Edward says heB次元官网网址檚 experienced a personality change since spending time with the Moulsons.

B次元官网网址淚 learned lessons B次元官网网址� life lessons,B次元官网网址� Edward said with a smile.

Whether baking with Allison, talking finances with Nathaneal or having the chance to pilot HMCS Regina on a family trip to Vancouver B次元官网网址� the Moulsons have impacted every sector of EdwardB次元官网网址檚 life. Two years ago the biggest life lesson came when Allison gave birth to Eli and Edward gained a little sister.

Last year when EdwardB次元官网网址檚 father went through a difficult time financially and Edward needed a place to stay, the Moulsons became his foster parents for six months. Suddenly Allison and Nathanael had a one year old and a 13 year old B次元官网网址� a set up that gave them a sneak peek at raising a teen full-time and also afforded the couple some babysitting help. The deal included a family discount, Edward said.

B次元官网网址淏asically the worst happened and we were able to step in and provide support beyond the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, but nevertheless, it would never have happened without Big Brothers Big Sisters.B次元官网网址�

Edward is now happily living with his father once more.

B次元官网网址淢aybe that doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen to everyone, but it could,B次元官网网址� Nathanael said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not unrealistic.B次元官网网址�

Edward describes his transformation from his first time spent with Allison as going from being happy to B次元官网网址渆ven happier, joyful.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 really thinking long term and how much he would be involved in our day-to-day life,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 really thinking about children then either, but now that heB次元官网网址檚 in our life, itB次元官网网址檚 come full circle.B次元官网网址�

Edward has considered one day being a big brother himself, though not necessarily as defined by the charity.

B次元官网网址淚n a way I am already,B次元官网网址� he says.