Summer vacation is a time for work and play— for some people, it’s more work than play. Whether it's an internship preparing for your future or working at a local boutique purely for next semester’s spending money, most students are slaving away (just trying to get through the work week) and living for the weekends… or happy hour in my case.

There comes a rare and exciting opportunity when your sorority alumna and the active members have a free weekend where you're all able to get together. This meeting is usually a holiday weekend, or a birthday. Group texts are created months prior to this one weekend. 

The stars are aligned, the hotel rooms are booked, and the outfits are purchased.

The evening before, everyone is hard at work— packing, deciding who in the room is bringing their curling wand, straightener and hairdryer, and of course scheming outfits. Everyone has paired off for different travel arrangements: whether it be by cars, buses or trains.

It’s Friday… work is finished, bags are packed, and it feels like Christmas… or should I say Big Sis Night. The ride to the chosen destination point seems to take forever and adds to all of the excitement for the upcoming reunion. Once you’ve checked in and your bags have become twice as heavy with anticipation, you head up to the room.The next feeling is a series of emotions that cannot be accurately described. 

This past weekend, I was reunited with a group of girls from my sorority, including my my big sister and two best friends. About half were alumna, and half I will see again in the fall. We traveled from all over— from Chicago, Philly and Ohio, just to spend the weekend together. The excitement and giddiness, while also feeling pure relaxation and at ease, was a roller coaster of emotions that only true sisterhood and friendship can provide. 

Throughout the weekend, there were multiple times where we escaped from the hype of Atlantic City and retreated to our queen sized beds, tempted to gossip indoors for hours. The air conditioning and conversations were so consuming that there were times we almost forgot that we were at a resort… and that the sun-kissed sand and warm waters of the ocean were a short cab ride away.  

It’s an amazing feeling to know that no matter where the wild and crazy destinations of one of your sister’s birthday is, or where the group decides to celebrate a holiday, it really doesn't matter. What matters is your company. We could have stayed in our hotel room the entire weekend, sitting Indian-style and eating Doritos, and still have had the amazing weekend we did. I am fortunate to have joined a sorority that fits me so well, but also one that makes me feel at home, even when I am far away from my family.