Hi Little,

We haven't met yet, but we will soon, and I sure am super excited about it! I am so glad you have found your home within our chapter and I cannot wait to see you grow into the leader I know you will be. I look forward to sharing this crazy adventure of life with you and you can count on lots of coffee dates and midnight ice cream runs. That being said, there are some things I want you to know:

You were brought into this chapter for a reason, and I never want you to doubt that you belong here. There will be times when you feel lonely and lost and you won't know where to turn and in those moments I want you to remember that you have an entire sisterhood there to support you; most importantly, you will ALWAYS have me. I'm not good at asking for help and I isolated myself instead of talking to someone about the things troubling me--that is the last thing I want for you. "Call me, beep me if you wanna reach me." I am there for every 3 a.m. phone call or text.

Get out there! There are so many opportunities that this chapter will provide you with. Don't let them go to waste because you're afraid. Being my little, you already know that I quote movies and literature for just about every situation so the one for this occasion goes to 'We Bought a Zoo'. "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." Be bold, little. I promise you it will pay off.

As your Big, I will support and encourage you in whatever endeavors strike your fancy. If you want to learn to play the violin or join an aerialist club or change you major five times until you find the perfect fit, then I will support you. College is a time to find yourself and try new things, and you should never be punished for finding what makes you happy. I will enthusiastically cheer you on for whatever recital, performance or event that you find yourself at.

I am growing and changing just like you, so there will be times when I ask for your patience and understanding. I will go through stressful times, confusing times and heartache just like you. It's crucial to me that you know I will learn just as much from you as you will from me. Big and Little is not a one sided mentorship--we're in this together, after all.

Lastly, I want you to know that I love you. We picked each other for a reason, you and I. There are things I need from you and things you need from me. We will argue and disagree. There will be times we won't talk because we're in college and we both get busy but if you need me, all you have to do is call, and I will be there in a heartbeat. Every Big/Little relationship is different. So, maybe I'll be your mentor, your college mom, or your best friend--maybe I will be a combination of the three. No matter the situation, I will always provide a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a corny joke to (hopefully) make you smile. So, here's to you, Little. Welcome to a lifetime full of cheesy quotes, movie nights, snickerdoodle ice cream, coffee dates, and laughter.

Love,
Your Future Big