Aaron was a junior at UL Lafayette studying Sports Medicine when he signed on to be a Big Brother. Travis was a shy 11 year old, vulnerable to the negative influences in his neighborhood. Travis' mother was a single mom, raising three children on her own, and desperately wanting a positive male role model for her oldest son. Each of them, in their own way, had no idea how much their lives were about to change.
When Aaron and Travis first met, they hit it off from the start. Throughout their first year being matched, the two spent lots of quality time playing basketball, going out for dinner and just hanging out together. Aaron brought Travis along to some of his college classes, campus events and introduced him to all of his fraternity brothers. At that time, Aaron sponsored and instructed a youth leadership organization called the Junior Kappa League which trained young men in fraternity ideas and morals. With Aaron's support, Travis enjoyed two years of membership in the organization. During that time, his shy demeanor would begin to evolve into a dynamicpersonality as the Junior Kappas performed step shows in front of hundreds of college students.
Aaron recalls his little brother's 12th birthday as monumental. He attended Travis' party and gave him a video game as a gift. Later that evening his mentee would call crying and feeling very emotional. When asked what was bothering him, young Travis told his big brother how important and meaningful it had been for him to show up at the party. "Not only did you show up, you also brought a gift and I just wanted to say that I love you." Aaron was overwhelmed and in his search for the proper response, he simply stated, "I love you, too."
The relationship would not be the same after this point. Travis was officially family and
years later would serve as an usher in his "Big's" wedding. A few more years passed and Aaron was now celebrating the birth of his first child. Now supporting a family and with his "little" starting high school, the two eventually began to go their separate ways.
Then, in 2008, Aaron decided to use the small amount of free time he had to volunteer with a local youth organization to choreograph the talent show for their Beautillion which highlights youth achievements. To Aaron's delight, one of the honored participants that year was none other than his little brother, Travis! Travis extended an invitation for Aaron and his wife to sit at
his table of special guests.
The night of the event, under the signal of a trumpeter, the distinguished young men entered the Beautillian Ball clothed in tuxedos and top hats. As Travis made his grand entrance, an announcer began to list his accomplishments: 3.5 overall GPA, graduating 12th in his high school lass, receiving varsity letters in football, baseball and soccer, concert band member, and religious counselor of his local church. Travis would then list Aaron Williams as the most influential person of his life! So touched by the experience, Aaron would later return to the agency as a most dedicated employee.
Magic Memories
