WORCESTER, Mass. - Amelia Green and Arin Whitman were paired together 8 years ago as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass & MetroWest. Over the course of the near-decade, they've learned a lot from one another.

"I feel like I definitely wouldn't be the person I am without Arin," Amelia said. "And just in general, I feel like she's definitely shaped my life in a lot of good ways."

"I worried so much that, what do I have to give," said Arin. "When really, all it was, was time. And so I feel like as a mentor, I learned to appreciate time more."

What You Need To Know

  • Arin Whitman and Amelia Green from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest were selected to perform in the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

  • The pair, from Worcester, will join the Parade to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade,” the iconic phrase that signals the start

  • The two were matched as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters eight years ago

  • Arin and Amelia say while nervous, they're excited for what they describe as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity

The pair has shared a lot of experiences together as well, whether it be sports games, concerts, or simply hanging out. But an experience they didn't have on their list is the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

"Wow. This is like crazy," said Amelia. "Like, I was like so shocked and I'm so excited."

"It's going to be an amazing experience from me being old, watching this parade on the television, the old box TV, for so many decades," Arin said. "It's like, I've never seen it in real life."

The two won't just be watching from the sidelines. Amelia and Arin will show off their pipes when they were selected sing in this year's parade. Over those eight years, Arin says music is among the things which brings them together.

"Yeah, she enjoys my 90s playlists," Arin joked. "But yeah, Amelia has done some talent shows. She's a very very good singer."

But neither had ever thought about performing at what is one of the world's largest parades. So, you could say there's definitely some nerves building up inside them.

"It's not a bad nervous," said Amelia. "It's a good nervous. But. I'm just a little like, 'oh my gosh!'"

"I've been more nervous about just making sure we get there and where we're supposed to be and all of those boring things because I just want to make sure that she gets to do everything that she wants while we're there," Arin said.

Nerves aside though, they're ready.

Amelia and Arin will enjoy their holiday in New York City after the parade before heading back to Central Massachusetts Friday.