Although they have a history of association with hazing rituals, today's sorority paddles are crafted by littles for their bigs as a communication of appreciation and love for their bigs. Crafting your paddle for your big is a ton of fun ... and stress and hard work. Here are the seven emotional stages of crafting your paddle for your big.
1. When you hear that it is time to start making your paddle, you are so excited!
Crafting a paddle for your big is a pivotal moment in any new member's process. You get to use your crafting skills to give your big a physical manifestation of how much you love her, and it is a memento from her time in the sorority that she will cherish forever.
2. But then you remember that you suck at crafting.
3. You wrack your brain trying to think of a theme, but you are at a complete loss.
The creative juices aren't flowing because they don't exist. All you want is to come up with a badass theme that is worthy of conveying to your big how amazing she is, because she is one of the most incredible people you know and you love her with all your heart. Is that so much to ask?
4. But then, all of a sudden, you remember that totally awesome thing (among many) that you and your big have in common and realize that you have struck paddle theme gold.
It has special meaning because it is something that you share with your big, so it is perfect for showing her how thankful you are to have her as your person who is essentially an older twin.
5. You craft an incredible paddle from your heart, and you are damn proud of yourself and the paddle you've created.
Damn, go me.
6. But then you get crazy anxious waiting to reveal your paddle to your big.
What if it actually sucks? What if she hates it? Why did I have to go with the nuanced theme, why couldn't I have just slapped some rhinestones on the thing and been done with it? *Proceeds to regret all life choices leading up this point.*
7. But then, you reveal your paddle to your big, and she absolutely loves it!!!
My big and me with the Gatsby-themed paddle I made! We share it as our favorite book, and it also happens to fit in perfectly with our lineage, the Literary Family!
Of course she loves it! She loves it because it was made by her little, but also because you took the time and effort to make a paddle that was truly meaningful. Your paddle is completely unique to the beautiful bond that you and your big share, and that is something truly special.
