We've all heard it before, the dreaded statement that GDIs often make, shunning the idea of joining any Greek organization, "Why would anyone want to pay for their friends?" We've all known what it's like to hear the stereotypes that sorority girls are dumb and don't care about anything other than partying, and frat guys just want to get drunk 24/7 and have no responsibilities, blah blah blah. WE GET IT. So maybe Greek life isn't for you, but last time I checked, none of us hated on you guys for it, so what's with your attitude? Whatever happened to the idea of coexist? Whatever, haters are entitled to their opinion, and we are entitled to ours. However, those that hate so strongly on Greek organizations are not realizing that it's more than just a group of friends. It goes beyond paying dues to be a part of something. Greek life changed my life in so many positive ways, and the stigma needs to be stopped.

We were all GDIs at one point in time. You can't come out of the womb wearing letters (although that'd probably be the greatest thing ever). Heck, I never even thought about joining Greek life until I came to college. Maybe it was going to a small school where the majority of the population is involved in athletics or a greek organization, had something to do with it. I never saw myself as a sorority girl, but something happened right before I came to college that made joining a Greek organization sound like the perfect remedy for how lost and alone I felt.

To make a long story short, my best friend of four years turned into a psychopath, came between my boyfriend and I and basically made my life a living hell. I became a different person when I became friends with her, a person I didn't like very much. I couldn't do my own thing without consulting her. It was as if we became Siamese twins without being attached. So when our friendship ended and I came to my senses and kicked her out of my life, I had to start all over. But coming into college really scared me. I loved the idea of making new friends but was still feeling pretty burned from my past, and not really sure who I could trust and if people would even like me. All I wanted was friends, and to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to feel like I belonged; pretty similar to how most college freshman feel, even those GDIs.

The first real friends I made at school all mentioned how excited they were to join a sorority, and I can't lie, hearing them talk about it made me really interested in what Greek life had to offer. So I did it. By "it", I mean I signed up for formal recruitment. I decided I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and hearing how passionate so many people in Greek life were, about everything it gave to them, only made me more excited to see it for myself.

Finally, formal recruitment came along, and I met every sorority and was totally overwhelmed but still so excited. One of these groups of girls was hopefully going to be my home. Then came Bid Day. They handed me that white envelope and waiting to open it was probably the most anticipation I had ever felt in my entire life up to that point. And there it was: the name of the organization I had hoped and prayed to get into, giving me a bid. I was shaking with excitement. It was basically Christmas morning in the middle of February, and at 9 o'clock at night. Running up to that group of girls and hugging all of them was when it really hit me. I was so glad I had done this. It had all been worth it. And that moment right there, was when my life changed forever.

Some of my best memories came from my new member process. After all, that's where you get the first friends you have in the organization. My fellow Mu class girls share so many memories with me. They've seen me at my absolute lowest points and my best points. They've been there with me through it all. The first way my life changed was I learned that I am worthy of having so many friends that love me and want to see me do well, something that never could've been said for my ex-best friend.

So then big/little reveal came along. At this point, I had absolutely no clue what to expect. Who the hell was going to be my big? Then she revealed herself to me, and it was like I had just won the lottery. She was already one of my best friends and now I got to call her my big sister. This was the second time my life changed. Having a big like mine helped me find the confidence I needed to find within myself in order to be happier and actually start enjoying college. She made me realize that my insecurities were all in my head, and she actually made me feel like I really mattered. She was the kind of best friend that I always needed. I always knew I wanted a big sister, and I definitely could not have gotten a better one. Without her in my life, I really don't know what I would do or where I would be. It's crazy how one person can lift you up so much that your life actually gets better all on its own.

Wearing letters for the first time was the best thing ever. You know the feeling you get when you buy a new outfit and you can't wait to wear it and show it off the next day? It was like that for about the next two weeks. I don't think I was ever more proud of the shirts I was wearing. Those letters mean so much to me, and I had the honor of being able to show everyone that.

My sophomore year was probably one of the hardest years I have ever had. A lot of personal issues were going on in my life and my sisters were the ones who were there for me the entire time. Reminding me that it was all going to be okay, showing me they had my back and were there when I needed a shoulder to cry on (which was at least twice a week). They helped me realize that I was stronger than I thought and I really could get through anything no matter how hard it was. I can honestly say without my sisters, I never would've been able to survive that point of ultimate low in quite the same way.

Getting my little was probably just as exciting, if not slightly more exciting, than getting my big. My big had already graduated and I was "alone" in the family tree and could not wait to have someone to call "LITTLEEEE" and another best friend that I could take really cute pics with whenever and wherever I wanted. So I got her, and she is perfect (of course). But as shallow and materialistic as this idea sounds, my little has done more for me than I can even express. She taught me how to be a better person, and she showed me how great it can be to try and see things from a different perspective. She again, helped me through what was still a very hard time for me, and we were so similar it was as if I had a better version of myself trying to give me advice. What more could you want? I could go on forever, but to cut to the chase, I don't know if I would be as happy as I am today without her.

Because of my Greek organization, I have become a bolder, stronger, more involved person. My sisters inspire me on a regular basis to go after all of my dreams and accomplish all of my goals. They showed me how great it is to be a part of something bigger than yourself. I can count on anyone of them for anything and I know they'll always be there for me no matter what. I know I always have someone who will laugh at my corny jokes, someone who will definitely screen shot that ugly snapchat, but most importantly, I will always have a group of people that gave me the best memories a college student could ask for. I have the best friends a college student could ask for because I have all of them. And for the first time in my life,I have sisters. Being a sister is a deeper connection. It goes beyond what being a friend means: it is much more than that.

My organization changed me; made me more appreciative of what I have. Whenever we do philanthropy work, I am reminded that I am so blessed, but I am even more blessed because I have the opportunity to give back in so many amazing ways. Something only Greek life could have given me.

So yeah, we pay dues. We pay dues so we can wear the letters we are so incredibly proud to wear. We pay dues so we can have a budget to put on fundraisers for our national philanthropy. We pay dues so that we can keep our chapter functioning properly. While yes, without this organization I never would have made these amazing friends, I wouldn't have these memories or connections, but the dues have nothing to do with that. No, I am not paying for friends, and so what if I am? I could never put a price on how much these girls have given me. I could never put a price on the experiences I have had. I also have a 3.4 GPA and am involved in other clubs on campus. I work eight hours a week and have an unpaid internship on top of a normal class load. So sorry haters, your information is misguided, your comments can easily be disproven. I wouldn't be who I am today without Greek life and without my sisters, I certainly would not be this happy. Before college I was lost and alone, and now I have found a home away from home with people I love more than anything. Now I am the best version of myself that I could have ever imagined. And it is all because I decided to join Greek life.

I did it. You can do it too. Trust me, no one ever regrets it.