“True love” is defined as “loving each other in an unconditional way.” This can be seen in Disney movies, but is it really evident in the real world? Bridgeland High School, however, has the opportunity to see an everlasting love between two substitute teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Boon.
Connie and Larry Boon are the perfect pair in the eyes of many students. Students at Bridgeland look up to these two substitute teachers who are a lot more than just placeholders for full-time teachers. Not only do students admire them for their attitude in the classroom but for their relationship with each other.
“Mr. and Mrs. Boon have always been my favorite substitute teachers,” senior Rebecca Roff said. “They are always so kind and talkative.”
Mr. and Mrs. Boon do not only add love and life to each class they substitute for, but they create a fun environment to learn in. In every class they enter, students get advice, assurance and encouragement.
“I’ve been working [at Bridgeland] ever since it opened,” Mrs. Boon said. “Teaching here is heavenly. Y’all are so nice and so good. I talked him into working here with me.”
Mrs. Boon adores teaching at Bridgeland and loves to interact with students day to day. Students now are struggling with losing their faith in love altogether. There is a fog of confliction with the idea of love in modern day dating with unhealthy and toxic behaviors of infidelity. The lines of true love have been blurred down into extinction and just become just a “fantasy” only seen in movies for many young students. The Boons promote the idea that love is what makes life beautiful, not difficult.
“[Building a healthy relationship] stems from having things in common,” Mrs. Boon said. “Plus, your faith [in religion and each other] is what love is all about.”
Many students compare Mr. and Mrs. Boon to the couple from the Disney movie “Up” because of how sweet and timeless their love is. This comparison is heartfelt, warm and hopeful. High schoolers could learn a lot from how they handle difficult situations outside of the classroom and inside of the class.
“I think we are pretty goofy [like the couple from the movie ‘Up’],” Mr. Boon said. “A lot of substitutes are too serious with the kids, but we give the students a little room and grace.”
Their journey consists of college orientation, school dances and marriage. College brought more than an exceptional education to these lovebirds–it brought forever.
“We both went to Baylor, and Mr. Boon’s old highschool friend was friends with me,” Ms. Boon said. “We had a back to school dance, and our friend set us up on a blind date.”
People don’t have to meet “the one” in a whimsical main character 2000s movie moment where the wind throws their scarf unto the handsome stranger next to them, they grab a coffee and thirty minutes later get married. It doesn’t always have to be a whirlwind of events, sometimes it just starts with a dance.
“Right from the start it was obvious [she was the one] when we danced on the blind date,” Mr. Boon said. “Ever since, life has taught me that love truly is worrying about the person and wanting them to do good, be happy, and being patient [with one another].”
All in all, love is full of serendipity. Having these two substitute teachers at Bridgeland makes the campus brighter and hopeful for students and staff. Love is not a fantasy or a mere dream. It’s evident even in everyday lives and communities. If one looks for it, love really is all around.
