Greek life has given me so much in the short time I have been in college, but I never realized it until I had to disaffiliate from my sisters. This summer, I took an on-campus position that required me to disaffiliate; in the process, I didn't lose my sisters, but instead I found new ones I would never have thought I had.
Having to disaffiliate has shown me that my Panhellenic sisters are just as much of sisters as those in my sorority. We share many of the same values, goals, and lifestyles even though we don't share the same letters.
From the beginning, my pan sisters showed me just as much love and encouragement as my chapter had. And not being able to be with my chapter showed me that regardless of how much we're "competing" throughout recruitment, philanthropy events, homecoming, or whatever it may be, we all have one thing in common: we are Greek.
Every Greek person understands how important their letters are, and everything they represent, but you don't truly understand how important they are until you have to give them up. My letters gave me some of my best friends, my bridesmaids, my confidants, but giving up my letters gave me a new perspective on how much my letters have impacted my life.
Being back with my sisters has been such a blessing, but being away from them has been a lesson I will value for the rest of my life.
Regardless of the reason we disaffiliate from our chapter, it's for the greater good if we can help others find their home.
