Deciding to go through recruitment and join a sorority was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I was a shy girl from a small town, and putting myself out there was not one of my strong suits. I didn't like the spotlight. I had my little group of friends, and for me, that was enough. When I came to college, I decided that I wanted to make a change. "Enough" wasn't all I wanted this new start to be. I wanted to make the most of it, to make more friends and be more outgoing. I never thought I would actually be able to do it, that was, until I met you. Big, I remember the first time I met you. I was a shy freshman in a big pond of beautiful people who were preparing for sorority life just like me. Looking at everyone around me, I didn't think I stood a chance in recruitment. I talked to girls from all the different sororities. They were all so nice and I felt like anywhere I went, I might fit in. Then I talked to you. You were everything I wanted to be. There was something about you. This aura of confidence radiated around you as you spoke. You were beautiful, kind, and outgoing. All I could remember thinking was "wow #goals". At that moment, I knew where I wanted to be. It was that moment my life changed.
Thank you for taking me under your wing. Without you, I would have been so lost. From socials, to chapter and any other event, you guided me and made sure that I didn't have to go through anything alone. You've been my mentor, my guide, and my stand in mother more times than I can count.
Thank you for endless lunch dates, dinner dates, and midnight McDonald's dates. You never judge my random hunger or my Diet Coke addiction. There's no one else that I'd rather sit and eat food with for hours than you.
Thank you for making me laugh. No matter what kind of mood I'm in, you're always there to put a smile on my face. Through tragedy and triumph, I know you'll always be by my side to make sure that I'm taking on life in a good mood. You keep me going every day.
Thank you for not judging me for the ridiculous things I say and do. You put up with me through it all, and honestly, that's pretty amazing. I'm a mess in a dress and you love me anyway (even when you pretend you don't know me)
Thank you for showering me with love. Because of you, I never feel alone. You always make me feel welcome and remind me everyday that someone loves me. I mean, who needs boys when you have a big? #amiright?
Thank you for forcing me out of my comfort zone. Ever since I met you, I learned to open up. I've become outgoing (and probably kind of obnoxious) because you helped me out of my bubble. You're the reason that I've learned to put myself out there and make friends.
Thank you for changing my world. I spent 17 years of my life feeling like nothing. I never saw myself as beautiful or worthwhile. I didn't like people to notice me, because I didn't think they would like what they saw. Then, you chose me. When someone like you picked someone like me, I realized that maybe I was worth something after all. When I look in the mirror in the morning, I see a beautiful person and when I walk out of my house, I don't mind if people look at me, because I can finally say that I like who I am. You showed me that side of me and I'm forever grateful.
But most of all,
Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my confidante, my best friend, the big sister I never had, my substitute mom, my conscience, and my person. From the first moment I met you to now, my life has done a complete 180 and that is the greatest gift life has ever given me. So here's to all the late night McDonalds runs, bad Snapchat pictures, mean nicknames, embarrassing moments, forgotten memories, sleepovers, crafting sessions, sappy text messages, and life-altering times together. Mad love to ya, Big.
Love,
Little
