Match Highlight--Charlie & Joy (Loyola University)

When Charlie and Joy first met, their conversation flowed easily. What started as a simple first meeting quickly turned into a friendship built on curiosity, laughter, and meaningful conversation. Joy is warm, welcoming, and full of stories, and Charlie loved getting to learn about her life and interests right away.

During their early visits, Charlie helped Joy with a few practical things—working on her computer, helping start an online tutoring application, and assisting around the apartment while Joy was recovering from a knee injury. But their meetings quickly became about much more than that. They spent time walking around the neighborhood, sitting outside on beautiful days, and chatting about books, classes, and life updates.

One of their favorite activities has been getting outside together. Joy has shown Charlie some of her favorite spots around the building, from nearby parks to scenic areas like the North Pond, where they’ve spotted turtles, birds, and beautiful fall colors. They’ve also enjoyed meeting some of Joy’s friends around the building and even attending a dance class together, which Charlie described as “super fun.”

Even when they couldn’t meet in person, Charlie and Joy stayed connected. Over the summer and during Charlie’s time abroad in Spain, the two switched to Google Meet calls to keep up with each other’s lives. They shared stories about travel, work, book club reads, and even compared perspectives on politics and current events—something Joy is especially passionate about.

Their conversations have also included life’s more challenging moments. Joy has experienced some health difficulties over the past year, including falls and illnesses, but Charlie has continued to be a steady presence—checking in through calls and emails and making time to catch up whenever possible.

When they do meet in person, they often spend hours together. During one longer visit, they ran errands around the neighborhood, planted a bonsai tree together, and talked about Charlie’s upcoming study abroad adventures while Joy shared travel advice from her own experiences.

Through every season—whether walking outside on a sunny day, attending activities together, or catching up over tea on a video call—Charlie and Joy’s friendship has continued to grow. Their visits are filled with thoughtful conversations, shared stories, and genuine care for one another, showing just how meaningful these connections can become over time.