They say friendships can last a lifetime and know no boundaries. Still, when a friend moves more than 8,000 miles away, most people would expect time and distance to take over. What you would not expect is to see that friend step onto your school bus one morning in Milford, Ohio.
But for fourth graders Aarav G. and Jeyan P., that is exactly what happened.
The two first met while attending school together in Gujarat, India. After Aarav moved to Milford during second grade, the friends lost touch and never imagined their paths would cross again. Nearly three years later, Jeyan moved to the area and began attending Boyd E. Smith Elementary School.
On the morning of Jeyan’s first day, the reunion happened by pure coincidence.
“I heard someone call my name,” Aarav shared. “He was sitting right behind me on the bus.”
Jeyan was just as surprised.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I didn’t know he would be here at all.”
As it turns out, the coincidences did not stop there. Not only were the two reunited on the bus, they were also placed into the same fourth-grade homeroom, picking up their friendship right where it left off.
For both students, having a familiar face made a big difference, especially while adjusting to a new school and new routines.
“Sometimes it’s hard to make friends,” Aarav said. “So having a friend already here was really awesome.”
Jeyan agreed, sharing that Aarav helped him find his way around school and feel comfortable during those first days. “He showed me where my classes were,” Jeyan said. “It was very nice already knowing someone.”
Both students also reflected on the differences between schools in India and Milford. From classroom technology to school structure and recess, they shared how much they enjoy their learning environment here.
“I love recess,” Jeyan said. “The slides are really long, and the blacktop is nice.”
Now reunited after nearly three years apart, Aarav and Jeyan are once again learning, laughing, and growing together. With a birthday party planned this weekend, their friendship is picking up right where it left off, despite the miles that once separated them.
Sometimes, those friendships even find their way back to you on a school bus.