Greek Life: an additional adventure within the already college adventure you’re in. But it’s probably one of the most rewarding, rollercoaster rides of life you can ever have the chance to take. The minute you step into the world of The Greeks, there’s always something going on, regardless of whether it’s good or bad. But these things morph and shape you into someone you never thought you’d be. One of the events that goes on in Greek Life is getting a little brother/sister, and it was something that came to me without warning and with so much more than I ever idealized.
My organization has given me so much as it is: leadership positions, volunteer opportunities, sisters, friendship, stress - anything and everything. The whole duration of my current time with my org, getting a little was the last thing on my mind. It seemed so far fetched at the time, and I had other things on my mind. It seemed something that was extra, and sort of insignificant to me personally.
Boy, was I wrong.
I honestly had totally forgotten about the big/little process and even forgot that I was even eligible this semester. When I realized it, I was a bit self-conscious. It reminded me of the night I rushed. Would anyone want me as their big? What if no one liked me or wanted me? Was I ready to mentor someone, to take care of them and lead them? Was I good enough?
I definitely was wrong.
Going on sister dates was so much fun and exhausting at the same time. It was a blast to finally get to know the girls my sorority had recruited, and showed me why these phenomenal women got the chance to partake in our organization. I fell in love with all of them and their uniqueness of course, because they are all amazing. And with that in mind, I was afraid I wasn’t going to find that spark, that special connection with another new member. Until I met my little very unexpectedly.
Maybe she’s the one?
I met her at a school event, before going on my sister date with her. We went to karaoke roulette, where we surprisingly had a blast. We danced the night away while cracking jokes about each other before even sitting down and starting an introduction between each other. I didn’t even know her and I was having the time of my life with her. We planned our sister date prior, but this seemed so natural already. I wanted to make sure my feelings were right, so I went on the actual date with her.
That date was probably the one thing I won’t ever forget during my time with my sorority. Usually, sister dates start off extremely formal and structured, but we just swung into the conversation like we were just texting one another. We kept cracking more jokes, and had very similar experiences, which I don’t find with a lot of people in general. I remember my abdomen hurt so much just from laughing at each other. I remember the feeling of not wanting to leave for class. I could sit with her in the dining hall and talk to her for hours. She resembled me in multiple ways, and also contrasted with me in several. A motherly instinct came over me when she even asked me for help one time. What was this feeling?
I think I found… my “little.”
I couldn’t stop talking about her with the other sisters. She made me change my mind about eventually dropping my eligibility. Meeting her was a sign that maybe, just maybe I should stay. Maybe she was going to be my little. Maybe this was my time and that I was ready to show someone the way with anything in life.
“Congratulations! You’re going to have ____ as your little!”
That was one of the best phone calls I’ve ever received in my life. I have never been so ecstatic to hear this girl’s name. I could finally call her my “little!” I was so excited to guide her, to mentor her, to take her into my care and hopefully shape her in a woman of substance, influence, and character. My big sister and grand-big sister had shown and taught me so much, and I wanted to perpetuate that same work ethic onto her.
I think this is what it is like to be a “big.”
It was time to build the ultimate suspense. For three days straight, I had to remind her she had a big but sadly I couldn’t let her know it was me. The evil side of me clearly had fun throwing her off on who her big was, but the angel on the other side was torn by not letting her know until the night of reveal.
“‘Hear’ is your big!”
It seemed like forever and a day waiting for my little to appear in front of me. I’ve only ever been that anxious when I went on a first date with someone. I was excited, nervous, scared, - I was feeling every single emotion that night. When that banner finally dropped and she hugged me, everything fell into into place. I knew she belonged with me, and I was so happy that you wanted to be big and little with me. Nothing could ever erase the feeling I had when I received her.
Dear Little,
I hope you had the chance to read the adventure I had receiving you. I was so scared that you might have not wanted me as your big, because everyone knows I’m insane. I want you to know that I’ll be the best big sister I can be. I will be here for you. I will drive to campus at 5 in the morning if you ever needed. I want to be the one you come to when you need help with homework or when you are having problems you need to talk out. I want to be your shoulder to cry on, and hopefully the one you look up to. I never got the chance to be an older sister until I was lucky enough to receive you. I still feel as though I don’t deserve you because you are just such an amazing individual on your own, and I know that you are going to do things that’ll blow everyone away in the future. Thank you for putting your faith in me to be the big sister I’ve always wanted to be, because you’re the little sister I only dreamed of having. I know you got my back and I have yours, and I am so ready to change the face of our organization and show the world what we’re made of. I hope you know that I love you oh so very much, and that I will never ever stop being your big. Let’s go get em’, little!
Sincerely,
Your B.I.G. ♥
