Pairs with Pride Match Highlight

We’re excited to highlight a special match from the Pairs with Pride program at our University of Michigan chapter. A wonderful friendship has grown between student Michelle and her pair Beth.  Over the past several months, the pair has built a meaningful connection through regular conversations, puzzles, and shared stories about their lives.

Many of their meetings take place at the library, where they’ve developed a tradition of working on puzzles together—recently completing a 100-piece puzzle and even tackling larger ones like puzzles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. What starts as a simple activity often turns into hours of conversation, with topics ranging from family stories and favorite books to Michelle’s medical school journey and Beth’s experiences over the years.

Their conversations often explore generational perspectives as well. Beth has shared stories about her life, activism, and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, including the day she and her partner Lisa stood in line for four hours to get married during a brief window when same-sex marriage was legalized in Michigan. Michelle has loved hearing about these moments in history firsthand, and the two often reflect on how perspectives and opportunities have evolved across generations.

Beyond puzzles and library meetups, Michelle and Beth connect virtually when schedules get busy. They’ve talked about everything from TV shows and books to activism, travel plans, and life transitions. Recently, Beth shared that she’s preparing to retire after many years of work, while Michelle is approaching a big milestone of her own as she prepares for shoulder surgery and continues her medical school journey. Despite being at very different stages of life, they’ve found comfort in supporting each other through these changes.

The pair has also spent time with Beth’s partner, Lisa, and fellow volunteer Grace, meeting for dinners, conversations about political activism, and even planning fun outings like visiting a comedy club or competing in puzzle competitions together. Through it all, their conversations flow easily—from thoughtful discussions about identity and gender roles to lighthearted debates about puzzle pieces and even the mineral salt.

Michelle shared that she’s incredibly grateful to be paired with Beth and looks forward to their weekly meetings. Whether they’re catching up over FaceTime, working through a puzzle, or simply talking about life, their friendship shows exactly what Perfect Pair is all about: meaningful connections that bridge generations and create space for learning, laughter, and mutual support.