Amber Hagerman and her younger brother were riding their bikes in Arlington. A man in a black pickup truck approached. He grabbed her from the bike, put her into his truck, and drove away. What started as a kidnapping investigation turned into a search for a murderer. Amber’s body was found a few days later in a nearby creek bed. She was nine years old.

There are two smaller communities surrounded by the City of Arlington. Combined, they are less than three square miles with a population of roughly 5,000 people. While similar in size, each has a much different history. Let’s visit Pantego and Dalworthington Gardens.

Since 1951, Arlington, Texas and Bad Königshofen, Germany have had a relationship. What began as an act of kindness turned into a friendship that still exists 70 years later. The cities are about 5,000 miles apart with many contrasts. But their friendship is a testament to kindness.