When I came to the University of Kentucky a couple years ago I knew a total of one person on the entire campus. I didn't know my roommates (funny how things happen), I didn't know where any of my classes were, and I had absolutely no idea what Greek life was all about.
My sister had been in a sorority and her experience seemed to go pretty well so I figured it wouldn't hurt to rush. I went through the week-long process and loved every minute of it.
I got to meet so many new people, talk all day long and explore different houses on campus. When the week was over I was actually sad to see it go.
When I opened my bid card on the last day I was happy to know that I had found a place that wanted me but I couldn't help but feel out of place. The girls around me were crying and screaming, calling their mom's and taking their shoes off so they could get a running start to the next four years of their lives.
For me it wasn't like that, I looked at my card blinking over and over thinking that I had made it, someone had actually wanted me in their house.
I was overwhelmed. I had just moved to a school where I knew no one, gone through a process I knew nothing about, to end up with a group of girls that I still did not know. If you had told me that I was going to be okay that day I wouldn't have believed you.
As the year went on I began to get more comfortable, I met girls I clicked with, I was able to participate in things that fell into my comfort zone and even better I started to let down my walls.
In that first semester of college if someone had told me that my sorority would be my life a year later I would've laughed at them.
But here I am a year later and there is nothing I would not do for the members of the chapter, or for the sorority itself.
The day that I finally let myself stop worrying about not belonging is the day that I finally found my place.
In the last year, I have been given so many amazing opportunities to grow as an individual and I have to give all my thanks to the amazing chapter I am in.
From the girls who are constantly supporting me and raising me up, to the opportunities actually given by the chapter itself, I would not be who I am without my sorority.
Being part of a sorority is not about the parties and the letters and the social image. It is so much deeper than that, it is knowing that on your worst days there are people there for you, that no matter the hour of the day, there is always someone down to have a sleepover.
While you choose to become part of a sorority, a sorority becomes a part of you too.
