When Amos made the journey from his Philadelphia home to the children’s home seven years ago, he was surprised in many ways. He was surprised to see the Lancaster County countryside that was so different from his city life. He was also surprised that he could go miles without seeing someone. The biggest surprise of all was when he entered his new home and saw an old friend.
“I thought I was going to be so alone here,” Amos recalls, “so I was surprised to see Alex.” Alex, also from Philadelphia, attended the same elementary school as Amos and had come to the children’s home one year prior. “We picked up right where we left off,” Amos said.
As Alex and Amos (pictured l-r) became more comfortable at the children’s home, their personalities started to develop. Through elementary and middle school, the pair grew closer. “We’re similar in a lot of ways, but we’re different in a lot of ways, too,” said Amos. “When you get to know Alex, he’s funny and kind of out there.” Alex agrees with their differences: “Amos is pretty laid back,” he said.
However, they do share a strong passion for athletics. Alex plays on the high school varsity football team. While Amos prefers basketball, he joined Alex on the field, and on the homecoming court, this past season. Thanks to donors, Alex and Amos’ cottage has recently been renovated and now features a weight room in the basement, which they both put to good use. The two can be seen “spotting” each other while lifting weights. Quite a bit of trust goes into this activity, something they do not lack.
“With Alex, I always have someone to lean on,” Amos said. “When you need to vent, it’s nice to have someone there. We tell each other everything.”
“He’s my brother, as far as I’m concerned,” Alex says. “We grew up together.”
Aside from athletics, the high school seniors work part-time jobs to save for college, which will be a turning point in their lives that is quickly approaching. Alex has been accepted to Shippensburg University, where he will play football, and Amos will be attending West Chester University in the fall.
“It would mean a lot to me to finish college,” Alex says. “When I finish, I will be the first in my family to have a college degree.”
Alex has plans to major in psychology, while Amos would like to become a physical therapist by majoring in exercise science. It will be a hard day when the two friends, who have lived together for almost a decade, separate, but it is a day they are already preparing for.
“We didn’t realize when we were kids how lucky we were to have each other and everything the children’s home has given to us,” Amos said. “Now, we will be out on our own.”
Both young men will be taking the skills they learned at the children’s home with them on their journeys. These include time management and perseverance. “The children’s home teaches you that when times get tough, you can’t give up,” Amos said. “You have to think big picture.”
The two will be making plans to visit each other, as their colleges are only a few hours apart.
“It’s funny, because being here shows you how to live with all kinds,” Alex said. “Getting a new roommate, no matter what they are like, won’t phase me.”
Although many people will walk in and out of Alex’s and Amos’ lives, their shared experience has created a bond between them that will last forever.
“It’s kind of crazy, because I’ll be thinking something, and he’ll say it,” Amos said. “If I’m thinking of a song in my head, I’ll look over and he’ll be singing it.”
This special tie, or as some would say “mind reading,” comes from more than just living together. Through thick and thin, happiness and frustration, Alex and Amos have supported each other with lending ears, words of encouragement and brotherly love.