I’d never been a mentor before, but here I was about to come face to face with a little girl whom I would take under my wing for Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Thoughts raced through my head: Am I equipped to properly care for a child? What if something happens to her while she’s in my care? What if she has an “accident” in my truck? Will she even like me? I hate boogers. Eww. Kids are always sick. What am I doing?

I did it anyway. God led me here for a reason. I wasn’t about to let Him (or myself) down now. I pulled up the road to her house.

As I put my truck in park, this beautiful 5-year-old girl with the wildest half ponytail came bounding outside. Flashing this killer smile through my window, she energetically exclaimed, “Hi! I’m Ava!” as I opened the door.

It was July 26, 2017, and my tan was on point after being on vacation the week prior. “Well, we MUST be sisters because, look, we’re the same color!!” she said, pressing her little golden arm up against mine. After the session with the match support coordinator ended, I asked my new lil’ sis if it was OK if we took a quick picture together to always remember the first time we met.

“Yes! O.M.G. Let’s take a selfie!!” she said, resting her tiny head on my shoulder as if we’d known each other our entire lives.

After that unbelievable response I knew we’d get along just fine; however, I was NOT prepared for what my icy heart would be in for over the next year. In that very moment I can recall a strong desire to be the best big sister and role model I could be for this kid.

As I left the meet and greet, I thought, “Hey, six hours a month might turn out inconvenient at some point, and it is kind of far, but it won’t be too hard to commit to. I can do anything for just a year knowing it’s really helping someone.”

I went to Babies ‘R’ Us the following day and got a car seat installed that week. This special little spirit has unexpectedly shown me a unique love that frankly I didn’t even know existed.

This resilient girl has suffered more trauma in her short six years than most adults. She is spiritual, kind, brave, smart, funny, talented, observant, inquisitive, stunning, eager to please, and all kinds of spunky wrapped into one little package ... with a whole lot of sass.

I am the “lucky” one. You better believe it, boogers and all. It turns out fear is a liar. Who would have thought that SHE unknowingly would be the one to teach ME about acceptance, grace, healing, hope and purpose.

Grace. Such a simple word, yet holds such deep meaning. Ironically, her middle name.

Someday when she is much, much older, I will tell her how she has changed my life in a way that no one else apparently could have. One thing from this experience I never knew was how quickly and freely kids love. We learn more from each other every day, 365 days, four seasons of change, 827 Facebook photos/videos, ridiculous selfies, a handful of pouts and countless laughs. Memories to last a lifetime. My hope is that this post inspires even just one person to pursue something outside of their comfort zone.

So many kids need a mentor and some extra love! The single greatest gift we can give a person to show them they matter is our time and attention. If you have room in your heart, a minimum of just six hours a month to give, and would like to learn more about becoming a Big Bro or Big Sis volunteer through the Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, which covers 132 of the state’s 169 municipalities, check out the information below. You won’t regret it!

Kelley Campbell lives in Groton. To reach the agency, call 860-525-5437 or visit www.nbbbs.org.

To submit a BE AN ANGEL item seeking community help, email times@theday.com.