Vicki Watson and Sherri Middendorf
It was the summer of 1986 when Vicki Watson sat in the small viewing area watching her 7 year old, Erin, and 3 year old, James, during their swim lessons at the West YMCA.
Sherri Middendorf was there with her newborn, Alex, watching her 7 year old, Andrea, and 4 year old, Josh.
The women got to know each other as their daughters became friends while swimming.
At the end of the summer, Erin and Andrea begged their mothers to exchange phone numbers and plan play dates. The mothers figured they'd live too far apart, and never see each other again, and tried to dissuade their daughters. But to no avail, so they gave in.
Turns out, the families lived less than two blocks away from the other.
Andrea and Erin were friends. James and Josh were friends.
And Vicki and Sherri – they’re still "Very Good Best Friends," like Forrest Gump and Jenny, and consider themselves sisters.
They have been together for 40 years this summer.
A lot has happened in that time.
Together through a divorce, remarriage and grandchildren for both of them.
Together for another child and great-grandchild for Sherri.
Together through marriages and divorces for their children.
Together for the deaths of their parents.
Together through the deaths of Sherri's children Alex and Andrea.
Sherri's kids, grandkids and great-grandchild all call Vicki "Aunt Beep," a name originally given to her by Sherri's son Alex, when he was a toddler.
Vicki's kids, grandchild and even nieces and nephews consider Sherri their "Aunt Sherri."
After that summer of 1986, Vicki started working at the West YMCA in aquatics, and has taught Sherri's kids and grandkids how to swim. Many of Vicki's nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and even great-great nieces and nephews have learned to swim because of her.
Two of Sherri's kids worked at the South YMCA. Vicki's son James worked at the South YMCA for awhile, her daughter Erin works at the West YMCA and her grandaughter has grown up in the YMCA.
Vicki's niece teaches group exercise, her great-niece is in the YMCA’s Job Prep program, and her great-nephew worked in the YMCA’s sports program.
The last 40 years of family and friendship would not have been possible without the Greater Wichita YMCA, and they plan to be by each other’s side for whatever comes next.