Almost 10 years ago, Derick Wallace stood as a groomsman in the wedding of Jason Burritt.

Burritt and Wallace were partnered as a big and little brother through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County program.

On Saturday, Burritt returned the favor by serving as a groomsman at Wallace’s wedding.

“For Derick to ask me to be involved in the wedding, it was just fantastic,” Burritt said. “He’s an incredible guy and it has been amazing watching him grow and develop.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children with volunteers who act as role models.

The Douglas County program director, Becki Carl Stutz, said some participants stayed in touch once they ended their time with the program.

“But it doesn’t happen in every case,” she said. “I think this situation is really an exceptional case. We know of little brothers and little sisters paired through our program being part of their big brothers’ and sisters’ weddings, but this is different.”

The program may have put them together. But Wallace and Burritt have become much more than friends. They consider themselves brothers.

“This quickly became more than just a program,” Burritt said. “We just clicked. This relationship was never something I ever considered ending.”

Wallace and Burritt were paired together by the organization around 1992. At the time, Burritt was a Kansas University student and played on KU’s football team.

Burritt, who now lives in Maryland, and Wallace, a Lawrence resident, said they had a special bond from the first time they met.

Derick Wallace, left, holds his brother's baby, Jeremy Wallace, 4 weeks, as Jordyn Martin, 8, and Jason Burritt look on Friday at the Knights of Columbus, 2206 E. 23rd St.

“Jason was a big part of my life and he has had a big impact on me,” Wallace said. “I really didn’t know my dad that well when I was growing up and I needed a good male role model. That was Jason. He taught me how to be a good person.”

Burritt said being part of Wallace’s wedding was a great honor. But he said one of his proudest moments was when Wallace got involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to be a big brother.

Wallace’s little brother, Jordyn Martin, handed out programs at the wedding. His wife, Casey Tedrow, also is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and her little sister, Kimberlee Sanchez, also gave programs to wedding guests.

“I just think its a great program,” Wallace said of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I’m excited to have them all be involved and that we have these relationships.”