When Lindsey and Jeremy Kiniry met Bethany and Jeff Flint, they became friends instantly. However, they never expected their friendship to last nearly two decades after meeting during a 2006 childbirth class at Bellingham Technical College.
At 11 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2007, Parker Kiniry was born. His mom, Lindsey, began to wonder about her friend Bethany’s February due date. Five hours later, Bethany’s son, Micah Flint, came early — he was born at 4 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2007.
“We went into the hospital, came back home later and texted Lindsey to say we had Micah,” Bethany said. “She responded and asked if we were still at the hospital — because [they] just had Parker.”
Eighteen years later, Micah and Parker have become best friends and co-captains of the Bellingham High School boys swim team.
“Our friendship means a lot,” Parker said. “I have a small group of really good friends. Those friends are super close to me and Micah is one of those people. I have never been upset with Micah and never had animosity.”
Despite living in the same city, Micah and Parker’s paths went separate ways as children. They played baseball together for a couple of years around the age of 10, but went to different elementary and middle schools and rarely saw each other.
“We would see each other around town, at a few functions and birthday parties,” Bethany said.
But when Micah and Parker began high school in the 2021–22 academic year, they reunited around the halls.
Micah joined the swim team as a freshman because he was looking to play a sport in the winter and his mother used to swim. Parker joined the swim team the following season as a sophomore.
“It was 2021 and I was watching the Olympic swimming events and thought it was fun,” Parker said. “I didn’t want to join until sophomore year because I was anxious for high school. I wanted to be able to find out what I was going to do in high school without having to worry about swim practice after school.”
When Parker was new to the swim team, Micah became one of his biggest supporters.
“It was cool to see his improvement,” Micah said. “I can just scroll through texts he sent me and see how much dedication and how much time he took off [in events].”
They also compete together in relay events. Last year, the two were part of a four-person 200-yard freestyle relay team that reached the 2A state meet and finished eighth after being disqualified in the finals.
This season, Micah and Parker were named co-captains. Micah said co-captaining has strengthened their friendship and helped them become role models to other swimmers.
Despite their strengthening bond, Micah and Parker have different interests and personalities, they said. Micah is more extroverted, loves jazz music and is a motivational captain. And although he enjoys heavy metal, Parker is quieter and more straightforward as a captain.
The boys would like to swim in college, either competitively or for a club team. They are looking at similar schools, including Linfield University, George Fox University and Whitworth University.
“If it comes down to it, I might choose the same college for the simple reason that Micah would be there,” Parker said. “I would love to be roommates with him.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
