Reflecting on the past week filled with tears, stress, and excitement, I realized how much the traditions at Oklahoma State highly resemble the feeling you get when Christmas is nearing. I'm from the Stillwater area but this was the very first time I was on the other side of the festivities. I never knew the amount of joy that it could bring, but it did and these are the reasons why.

1. All Night Pomp

Being greek made homecoming so much more rewarding because of all of the literal blood, sweat, and tears put into our house decs (from getting cut by the chicken wire, getting glue on literally everything, and from pomps that wouldn't unstick). Shifts varied from 10pm Thursday to 6am Friday or even 3pm Thursday to 3 pm Friday, so you know it felt like we were kids again waiting up on Santa. The whole entire night greeks are just so giddy about how their decs are going to turn out; it is truly like Christmas Eve. It really feels like the best present will be waiting for you in the morning.

But also,

2. All of the Lights that are Hung

String lights are hung EVERYWHERE: from residential life, to greek houses, to actual campus. Theta Pond is a personal favorite.

3. The Decorations Around Campus

Nothing feels quite like Christmas like the preparation for it to look good does. OSU goes all out when decorating. Everything is orange, hand painted signs are placed on the library lawn, and residential halls decorate, too.

4. Staying Up 'Till the Crack of Dawn

Not only does All Night Pomp keep the student body up in the days leading to homecoming, but so does Walk Around and Homecoming and Hoops. Even though they are relatively late events, we can't shake the excitement of the football game that will be there in the morning. It's like we are little kids waiting up for Santa again.

5. The Sense of Family

You know when all of your family gets together for Christmas and there is tons of yummy food, and you just get that feeling of pure bliss, like all is right in the world? That is what our community felt like. Even though on a normal day, we are a tight-knit community, something about homecoming made us feel like actual family, and that is one of the best feelings in the world.

But after the adrenaline from taking a big fat W at the football game is over, the reality of only getting four hours of sleep in a three-day time span hits, but it's okay because all of it was worth the memories made. A goodnight to all, and to all a good night. Go Pokes.