Another rush season has come and gone, and sorority houses across the country are breathing a sigh of relief as we can all finally catch up on our sleep, classes, and start to feel somewhat normal again. But don’t get too comfortable, because another big holiday in the sorority calendar is almost upon us: Big-Little week. In case you don’t quite understand just how big of a deal this is, I’ve broken down the week into six main phases to help you get through it.
Phase 1: Decision Making
Rush is winding down, another Bid Day has come and gone, and the only topic of conversation in the house right now is just how perfect your new pledge class is. But now it’s crunch time, and you have to make a decision fast. Which new baby will you take to be your Little? Will you take twins? Twins means twice as many Littles to love you, but can your bank account handle that many gifts? If at this point you still have no idea which new member will fit perfectly into your already perfect family, try to get to know them by sitting with them at lunch or hanging with them at the house. Or, talk to your new member coordinator, as she’ll have gotten to know them pretty well by this point.
Phase 2: Getting Your Little
The papers have been submitted. You’ve hoped and prayed, crossed all fingers and toes, all for the perfect Little, and you finally know who she is! Whether she has been your best friend since childhood or you just met her on Bid Day, you are over the moon excited because you have the most perfect Little and all of your sisters must be jealous that you got the best one of the new pledge class. Getting the word from your new member coordinator makes this official; let the crafting begin.
Phase 3: The Honeymoon Phase
This phase is pretty creepy. For about two weeks, you know who your Little is, but she has no idea that you are her Big. You’ve thoroughly stalked every form of social media she has, you know her favorite color, her favorite foods, the name of her best friend from home, and what her mom’s second cousin’s first wife’s dog looks like (you can find out a lot on Facebook). It takes everything in your power to not jump up and down and hug her when you see her in the house or at games, because you are just so excited to be her Big! So, until reveal day, you’ll have to settle for pointing at her from across the room and whispering to your friends, “OMG, that’s my Little!”
Phase 4: The Pinterest Phase
You wouldn’t feel the need to pull an all-nighter for your Bio midterm, but Big-Little crafting? It’s obviously so necessary to stay up all night the night before the first gift drop off to finish these three canvases, two jars, a sheet of brownies, and a glittery pair of angel wings. Welcome to Big-Little week.
Phase 5: The Leaving Gifts Phase
You may have just finished that last canvas at 4 a.m., but your box is perfect and ready to be dropped off at the house. Now it’s time to stalk your Little’s Instagram and wait for the exact moment she finds your gift.
Phase 6: The Celebration Phase
After three long weeks of crafting, social media stalking, convincing your Little that you, in fact, are not her Big, it’s finally reveal day and you are ready to welcome your Little into your perfect family. There is nothing like that very first Big-Little hug when she runs into your arms and you can finally call her your Little. Enjoy the ride, because this is the very best part.
