Kindness 101: Students teach us all a lesson in friendship

This morning we continue our special series and I mean special kindness one on one with Steve Hartman sharing stories that are built around themes of kindness and character and the people who have mastered those qualities today's lesson is in friendship Stephen his kids introduced us to 2 little girls who prove the best friends know no bounds and might even show up in matching outfits. Good morning, I now you know my daughter Merrill good morning, everyone today's class is about friendship. And as always we start with your brother at the dictionary desk and good morning, I'm defining friendship as a lasting affection trust between 2 people who are usually not related. Yeah, friend one harp on you to unload the dishwasher or make you eat your banana every morning. A friend accepts you exactly as you are no matter how different you may seem to that point I have a story I'd like to share it's one of my favorites from the archives because I think it captures the true essence of true friendship. Miami preschoolers GSR Nicola and Zuri Copeland say they're not best friends, I know they say they're closer than that closer than mere sisters even in fact G and Zuri truly believe. Their twins. Yeah, Ashley and Valencia are their moms. They will tell you that they are twins and they have a long list of reasons why to back it up. To them what makes a twin similarities similarities. For example, the girls say their birthdays are practically the same day and the obvious physical similarities. So what am I looking at here. All because you're the same height clearly twins which is why they also insist on matching outfits whenever So far Ashley and Valencia have indulged them, but they also recognize there is some bitter to this sweet. You know you're happy for you know for a few seconds and then you become sad because they have to grow up. And then society takes over. Indeed society already tried to take over. Zuri and GF read a birthday party when an older kid told them they couldn't be twins because they don't have the same skin color. Broke down. But through her tears, she got out this rebuttal. She said you don't know what you're talking about we're twins because we share the same soul. I just get chill bumps. So I was just like thrown by just that word. Yeah. Obviously what she was trying to say is that at our core. We are one. And when we look back on our years of division and racial strife. It's important to remember that while all this was going on. So was this. We have a lot to learn right and we can learn from children. In fact the moms say they already have never talked so much on the fall. And that's what the twins want for all of us to push back against the cynics. Some girls. And we are twins. And move on to the more important things in life. You know what we're going to get today. We're going to get ice cream. And you don't. It's been five years since we first told that story. And no surprise here. Gia and Zuri are still best twins. And they join us now. Hello girls. OK. First why didn't you let my dad have ice cream. Obviously he doesn't need it. But I'm just wondering. Probably because we don't want anyone to take it because it's delicious. Clearly we're trying to make friends with me. How old are you now. We're nine years old. Do you still see each other a lot. Yes. Twenty four seven. What do you think is the key to staying close as long as you have. We communicate after a fight and we always say sorry and And it doesn't matter which one says sorry first. But you should always apologize. How long do you think this friendship is going to last. For a long long long long long time. And if I came by there to see you again is there any chance I could get some ice cream or no. Maybe. Well thanks for your time and for showing us what a real twinship looks like. Thank you for inviting us. You're welcome sweetie. Lots of good advice in there. But of course the best way to get a good friend or to keep one is to be one. We'll see you next time and don't forget to stay kind. I was so excited to see them again. Steve you've got to give us a five year update. Yes, it was so exciting that a they're still friends and that they're still in sync. May that never change. I love what you said some girls said something about some girl. He doesn't know you know they finish each other's sentences and talk at the same time. But it's such a good reminder kids don't see color have to be taught that ice cream for Steve for the story of the morning. I loved it. Yes, yes, yes, yeah, it was awesome. The injury we're cheering you on good to see you girls good to see you.