Any sorority girl can tell you that one of the most exciting moments that they get to experience during their time in their sorority is getting a little sister. For me, I get the same kind of excitement every time my family grows.
Most of the time when you are a senior in your sorority, the highest title in your family that you get is being a Grand Big (G-Big). I, however, am a current senior and very recently became a Great Great Grand Big ( GGG- Big) to five wonderful girls (pictures are shown above with the two halves of my family tree), and yes, even when it is shortened it’s still quite a mouthful to say.
When you’re the HBIC (head Big in charge) of your own family, many people assume that it is similar to being the 100-year-old great-grandparent during the holidays. You are left in a chair, most likely sleeping, and occasionally someone comes in to check on you to see if you are OK or if you need anything. That is usually not the case and there are many perks to being the head of your family.
For one, you never have to squat ever again in pictures! I was never bothered by squatting, but for some girls it could be a bit of a hassle. When you’re HBIC you are always on some elevated surface, whether it’s stairs, chairs, and even sometimes tables. So you’re always seen, and every person who sees that photo will be like, “Wow! That’s her family?!” and naturally there is always a sense of pride to go along with that.
You are greatly looked up to by the members of your family. You have experienced a lot in your time in the chapter, so if your younger family members have any problems or questions that they do not know how to handle or who to ask, you are their go-to person. This seems to be a common trend for your whole family. It feels as though on a daily basis you are giving someone advice either about functions in the chapter, what professors to take for each class, or simply what outfit they should wear that night.
You have an immense support system, and there is always someone willing to lend an ear to listen. Though it seems like you could do no wrong, you are not perfect and do not have the answers to everything. Therefore, sometimes you need to go to someone for advice or someone to hear you out, and your family is always willing to help because you have done the same for them.
There comes a time in your college career, usually within your last semester, when you have to buckle down, and words like “adulting” and “responsibilities” are thrown at you almost on a daily basis. This is when your free time consists of studying for an exam a week away because you don’t want to stay in college forever, or you are applying for a big-girl job for after you graduate. This is also when you are in bed at 10 p.m. because of all the things you have to accomplish in a day. However, there is always your younger family members who encourage you to go out and have fun with them because it is your last semester and you need to live it up while you can. When you are hanging out with them, they usually know how to bring out your inner underclassman persona, and you temporarily forget about all your big-girl responsibilities.
Being the HBIC of your family doesn’t always mean you are cast aside and forgotten about; sometimes it’s like being a link in a chain. Without me, the family wouldn’t be as strong as it is, and without them, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am. We go hand in hand, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
