What started with a noisy upstairs neighbor became one of the most humbling lessons of my life.

Before I ever met Carole, I had created an entire story in my head about the person living above me: that was, that my upstairs neighbors joined a middle-of-the-night bowling league. Then one day, I saw an 86-year-old neighbor with Parkinson's struggling to make her way downstairs to throw out her recycling... & suddenly, everything I thought I knew changed.

As a teacher & from Buffalo, nicknamed "the city of Good Neighbors," all I could think of was to share this humbling teachable moment online as a budding influencer as a reminder to myself and others: we never truly know what someone else is carrying. What happened next was something neither Carole nor I could have imagined. Millions of people connected with our story, checked on their own neighbors and grandparents, shared stories of kindness, & reminded us just how much good still exists in the world.

?Carole & Heid Side by Side? is the second limited-edition drop created by Carole herself based off our journey together. The new, more-detailed version of our first encounter represents the neighbors who started it all & the friendship that developed between us, while the gray motif & red tulip honors the internationally recognized color & symbol of Parkinson's awareness. (The pink option is a feature Carole herself wanted to include as a tribute to her favorite color.) Beneath Carole's design it is the message I hope we carry far beyond this shirt: check on your neighbors.

Because kindness doesn't always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it means knocking on a door. Asking a question. Offering a meal. Choosing curiosity before judgment. Simply noticing someone who may need to be noticed.

A portion of proceeds from this campaign will support Parkinson's-related charitable work, allowing this story of two neighbors to create tangible good for others living with Parkinson's.

This is only the beginning.

One neighbor started the lesson. Millions helped spread it.

& maybe together, we can make being a good neighbor contagious!