When young Lily Thompson spotted a new student, Miguel Garcia, sitting by himself during lunch, she knew she had to step in. Determined to make him feel welcomed, she approached him, only to realize they were speaking different languages. Miguel spoke primarily Spanish, and Lily was not quite fluent. But instead of letting that stop her, she got creative.
Having seen her family use Google Translate to communicate with exchange students in the past, Lily decided to give it a shot. She wrote a note inviting Miguel to join her for lunch, then translated it into Spanish with the help of the app. After getting her mom, Sarah, to proofread the letter, she was ready.
“I’ve been in tears ever since because I thought it was the sweetest thing ever,” Sarah shared with ABC News. “I always tell my kids to look out for the new kid—no matter what. They might not stay friends forever, but they’ll always remember that someone made them feel welcome.”
Lily’s note read something like, “Would you like to sit with me today? Look for me, and I’ll show you where I sit. We can color or even tell spooky stories together. Thanks for your time! – Lily.”
And guess what? The note was a hit! Not only did they become lunch buddies, but they also discovered they lived close to each other. They even teamed up for some Halloween fun, where Lily and her friends taught Miguel the classic “trick-or-treat, smell my feet” chant. “By the end, he was singing along with us,” Sarah said, beaming.
For now, the duo primarily communicates through drawings—an adorable way to bridge the gap—and they’re both excited to learn each other’s languages. As Lily puts it, “Everyone deserves a buddy. No one should be alone.”
If you’re intrigued by how these friendships can bloom despite language barriers, check out our post on home insemination kits for more fascinating stories about connection and community.