A lifeguard was honored Monday for her rescue efforts after saving the life of a young swimmer at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.

Lifeguard Morgan Saunders, 17, had only been on the job for about a year when she made the save at the beach in late June.

For the first time since the incident, Saunders was reunited with 8-year-old Alexis, the little girl whose life she saved.

Saunders was honored at the Norwalk Police Department and presented a civilian award.

Mayor Harry Rilling and the police commissioner presented Saunders with the award and other special honors.

Rilling also arranged for a free dinner at Harbor Lights in the city for Saunders and her family as well as Alexis and her family.

Both families feel they now have a bond.

"I feel like I want to be involved in her life and, specifically, for everything that happened, I feel like we have an attachment -- a friendship and everything," Saunders said.

"I hope they maintain it for life because they will forever have a connection," said Kim Rowe, mother of Alexis.

It was back in June 29 when Saunders said there were about 60 children swimming in her section when she saw Alexis floating face down in the water.

Saunders said she immediately went into the emergency action plan by blowing her horn and sprinting down to the water.

After rescuing Alexis, Saunders performed CPR and got her to breathe again.

Alexis has since recovered.