People love to say, “I joined BBYO.” But for me, I don’t really think that’s what happened.

I kind of just showed up. Got added to group chats. Said yes to things I didn’t fully understand. Learned acronyms through context clues and vibes. And somewhere along the way, BBYO just became part of my life without me noticing the exact moment it happened.

But the even crazier part is—it didn’t start with me. My mom was in BBYO, and so was my grandmother. For them, it was a chapter of their lives. For me, it feels like I accidentally stepped into something that was already part of my family story and just stayed.

And now, 82 years after BBG was founded, that feels kind of surreal. Like I didn’t really “join” something new…I just grew into something that was already there, waiting in a way I didn’t realize.

BBYO doesn’t feel like something you officially start. It feels like something that finds you. One day you’re “just checking it out,” and the next you’re debating program ideas and caring way too much about group chat messages (respectfully, it’s serious business).

And slowly you realize you’re not just participating anymore. You're part of it. Not in a big dramatic way, but in the small things: showing up, laughing, leading, learning, repeating.

So with BBG Founders’ Day coming up, I’d encourage you to think about your own BBG story. Did you have family in it before you? Did you invite someone to an event who’s now really active in your chapter? Or just take a second to think about where you are in your own BBYO journey, and the people and moments that got you there.

Thanks BBG.