High school quarterback fulfills 4th-grade pact by taking friend with Down syndrome to prom

People tend to grow up and forget their childhood buddies or the promises they made to each other when they were kids, but not Ben Moser. Moser, who went to grade school with Mary Lapkowicz, did not forget the prom pact he made with her long ago. Mary, who has Down syndrome, had been going on about her life when she was surprised by Ben in the most wholesome way possible for her high school prom.

"A lot of grade-school-aged kids may have stayed away from my sister Mary or thought she was weird because she has Down syndrome. But not Ben," Mary's brother Tom wrote in a 2015 Facebook post. Ben's mom Lisa also opened up to BuzzFeed News and recalled how her son was in the same elementary school class as Mary for three years. "Ben was always the energetic kid in the class who always looked out for Mary and wanted to make sure she was included in all activities," she said.

Unfortunately, the duo parted ways and went to separate Pennsylvanian high schools but reconnected when both of their schools competed against one another in a football match, per the reports of Patriot-News. Ben had not forgotten his promise to Mary from fourth grade. He had given his word that one day he will take Mary to the prom and so, he decided to surprise her with a beautiful proposal to become her prom date.

Ben's mom even documented the memorable moment over a Facebook post where she posted a series of pictures featuring Ben and Mary with the caption: "Today was probably the proudest I have ever been of my son in his lifetime to date! He has grown into a man with a big heart, a deep sense of putting others first, and most of all making people feel special and loved. Today with joyful tears in my eyes and down my face I watched a promise made, 7 years ago, to a beautiful girl fulfilled."

Mary had reportedly only been looking forward to attending prom with a bunch of friends. Little did she expect her childhood buddy to turn up with shiny balloons to ask her out for prom. So, Mary and Ben dressed up for the prom event at Central Dauphin High School where Mary studied and even their fourth-grade teacher Tracey Spogli attended to support her former pupils.

"Ben would always keep an eye out for Mary, making sure she was smiling and happy," she told TODAY. "I referred to Mary as 'Little Mary Sunshine' because she was the sunshine in our classroom. The entire experience of that fourth-grade year was a very positive learning experience for the entire classroom and I am so proud to have been part of it!"

The comment section of Lisa's Facebook post overflowed with compassionate notes and well-wishes for the duo. Cathy Overton wrote, "I wish everyone could have experienced the truly heartwarming affection between Mary and Ben Moser. This is one of those special days that I will never forget."

Tracy Folks commented, "Lisa, your son sounds like a very special young man! May he go very far in life!" Ben's mother added that despite getting a lot of media attention, Ben has not been reading a whole lot of them, though he wishes for singer Nick Jonas to contact Mary someday since he is her favorite musician.