As Shelly Seeger and Lindsey James approached graduation from St. Bonaventure University in Bonaventure, NY, this spring, they joked about how "cool" it would be if they could find jobs together in the same town. 

The two have been friends since freshman year in 2007, when they both entered the teaching program at the small, private university. 

"We were joking around about it," James said. "But we thought, 'Like that’s going to happen.'"

It did.

The Anne Arundel County Public School system hired Seeger and James this spring and officials placed the pair in the same school, Tyler Heights Elementary in Annapolis. Seeger will teach third grade and James first-grade.

The duo decided to make the move from New York together and found an apartment in Annapolis to share.

"We’re both going through the same thing," James said. "Just having someone here for you when you're going through the same transition is great."

They said living together was an obvious choice even though the pair were never roommates during college.

"It’s nice to come home after work to someone who cares about you rather than a cold, empty apartment," Seeger said.

James echoed the feeling, saying "now we have our own little family."

The new teachers had their first day on Monday at Tyler Heights and they helped each other make sure their classrooms were ready.

"The Dollar Tree is going to be our new best friend," Seeger said. 

James agreed, "The Dollar Tree is key. Oh, that rhymes."

The two laughed.

They joked about singing "Lean On Me" to each other in the car after new teacher orientation. They said they couldn't imagine going through the experience of moving to a new city and starting a new career without each other.

Both are native New Yorkers and didn't move far to attend St. Bonaventure. 

"No matter what, it’s going to be stressful; it's overwhelming," James said. "Just having each other there makes it easy; to be like, we can do this."

The two are also excited about exploring their new town.

"I can’t explain how beautiful this place is," Seeger said. "It’s like that honeymoon phase where everything is beautiful and nothing can go wrong. This place is beautiful, we have a job and we have each other. It’s just wonderful."

Seeger and James were excited and a little nervous about meeting their new students for the first time and about starting the post-college phase of their lives.

"I’m ready to take on the world with you, Lindsey," Seeger said.

James reached out and slapped her hand, saying, "Let’s do it."