If you asked me a year ago what I wanted to do during my college years, I probably would have told you I'd like to focus on school and try to hold down a job, all while attempting to make new friends and join new groups two hours from home. If you asked if I thought I'd join a sorority, I'd honestly probably laugh in your face. I've heard the stereotypes and seen some of my friends in sororities and I thought it wasn't for me.

When I went to orientation the summer before I moved to college, one of the events we had to go to was a organization fair with all the different clubs and organizations on campus. With my twin in tow (aka my new friend who was just like me!) we swarmed to the Christian organizations. As we walked around, we stopped and talked to many of the organizations, one of which was peculiar to me. I saw a group of girls at a table decked out in greek letters. I kind of chuckled to myself and wondered how a sorority got lost in the mix. As I took a closer look, I noticed their shirts said "Sisters for the Lord". I was confused, so I decided I had to discover what was going on.

When I walked over to the booth, I was greeted with warm, genuine smiles from some of the sweetest girls I'd get to know. They told me they were a new Christian sorority on campus and they were excited that the upcoming semester would be their first offiicial semester. I ended up talking to them for over an entire, up until we were all shuffled into a gym for games. They gave me a piece of paper with more information.

The next few weeks before I left for college, I proceeded to stalk the sorority's social media and all the girls tagged in photos. In return I recieved nice comments on photos and likes from the girls already in. This also led to me researching the other sororities on campus.

My first month on campus I saw many social media posts from this sorority and the girls involved. When I saw they had recruitment the beginning of September, I reluctantly RSVP'd and made plans to attend.

Before recruitment, I expected to walk into a group of cliques. Images of sorority girls in movies I had seen clouded my judgement. I recieved a huge wake up call when I arrived. Each night I was welcomed by the president. Additionally, each night had worship, prayer, and testimony. We also got to know the possible members and those already inducted. I ended up having a great time and confirmed the next week that I wanted to join.

Fast forward three months later. I have been a part of this sorority for three months, and I am officially an active member. The past few months have flown by, but I have learned many things about the Christian lifestyle, this sorority, and other sororities. Although we are not like other sororities (we are classified as a "special interest group" and we are not panhellenic), I have grown to know many girls in other sororities. I now know the images portrayed in movies are simply dramatizations and most girls are not like that- they are girls trying to get through college while making friends and serving a certain cause (or philanthropy). Of course, the special events like mixers and date parties are nice as well.

If you asked me when I decided to go to UTC if I wanted to join a sorority, I'd laugh in your face. Now, I would talk your ear off about how much I love the girls in my sorority and how I could not imagine my college life without them. My clouded judgment has been overshadowed by the love and laughter I receive everyday by the girls I can say are some of the best girls I've ever met.

"We are sisters. We will always be sisters. Our differences may never go away, but neither, for me, will our song." Elizabeth Fishel