It has been almost a year since I got to run home to the best sisterhood in the world. No bias (okay, maybe a little) toward my sorority, but rather just the honest love I have for the incredible ladies I get to call my sisters and to the all the wonderful women I get to be in Panhellenic with.

It has been almost two years since I knew of my big sister and over a year since we officially met. We have a weird story, but yet it truly shows how Greek life brings people together who were meant to be in each other's lives.

You see, Greek life was the best decision I have ever made and easily the best decision I made in my freshman year of college. Not because it was rainbows and butterflies all the time or because I met so many people, but because in one year, I grew tremendously as a person. My sisterhood and the wonderful sisters I have gained have taught me about myself and helped me to change and view myself in a different (and better) perspective tremendously.

But yet, there are days that I despise the rules, the commitments, the expenses, and the stereotypes that come along with the title of "being Greek."

There are still days that I wish I hadn't gone Greek.

There are times that I wish I could plan my weekends for myself.

I have had my moments of sheer anger at my chapter.

I have had those moments where I just felt like dropping altogether.

But yet, those moments are so minuscule compared to the immense love I get when I walk into chapter on Sunday and see all of my sisters together in one place. Knowing that I am loved, welcomed, and accepted for all that I am and all that I lack.

But the honest truth is that being affiliated with Greek life is hard. It’s more than pretty girls. It’s more than the luscious blonde curls and sparkles in recruitment videos. It’s more than our chants behind the doors during recruitment. My sisters and I are not cloned robots. We are not “basic white girls." And our chapter (and all of the Greek community) relies on each one of us to keep it running. We don’t get to choose what to--or what not to--show up to, we don’t all always get along, and we sure don’t “pay” for our friends.

I could tell you my entire story' from meeting my big to getting my bid day card to my pledge process to the first (and second) time I was sent to standards, but I won’t. The honest truth, though, is that this process has been a learning experience. And those lessons I am forever grateful for and will carry with me forever.

You see, as a new sister, I accepted a position on our Leader’s Council. I was thrilled that my chapter trusted me to lead and that I got to work closely with my big. I was thrilled with the responsibility and that I could give back to my chapter in a different way. However, in just a few short months, that position would be taken away from me.

This was the first time I truly felt anger at my sisters and at my chapter. The first time I wanted to just walk away and forget it all. But most importantly, I felt awful that I had let my chapter down. I had let my sisters down and I had let my big sister down.

But in all of that, I realized that my sisters were doing something for me. They realized that I had more important things to focus on when I couldn’t see that. They were a rock for me when I needed one. And they were the perspective and tough love I needed when I couldn’t give it to myself.

And in saying all of this, I truly do mean that Greek life is more than anyone gives it credit for. It is an immensely tough, yet fulfilling, experience that shouldn’t be looked down upon.

You see, on the weekend of recruitment, I severely hurt my ankle and was on crutches for the long hours of standing, talking, and walking. I wore Sperry boat shoes with my gorgeous preference day dress. I truly didn't think I would be called back anywhere because of it. I was angry, sad, and in way too much pain to even care. Yet, while my outfit was definitely NOT on point and the crutches really adding to it all, when I walked into my future sisterhood's room, I felt nothing but open arms. They didn't care about my outfits or my injury. And at the end of it all, when I got to "run" home to my top choice, my future big was there to carry me home all the way--literally. She RAN across campus with me on her back.

And when I have my moments of doubt, those are the times I recall when I need a reminder of why I went Greek in the first place.

In an honest opinion; yes, we all hate getting out of bed on a Sunday evening to get dressed up and go to chapter, and yes, we all hate paying dues. Knowing that your schedule is set for the entire semester because of obligations through your sisterhood is dreadful. The commitments really can be overwhelming at times. You sacrifice many other parts of your life when you pledge yourself to your sisterhood.

It's tough having to define your 'sorority sister' from your 'real' sister.

We hate the stereotypes. We hate Greekrank.

There is an honesty when I say that going Greek isn’t for everyone. I don’t believe that every person is meant to carry with them the Greek letters. But I do think that recruitment is something that every college-bound woman should go through.

I am honest when I say that the pros largely outweigh the cons. While I have my moments that I want out, I can easily take a step back and realize how immensely my sisterhood has helped me.

Greek life teaches you many things. One lesson I learned was a great amount of tough love. It will teach you time management. It will teach you sincerity and passion. It will teach you to have a genuine love for everyone. It will teach you real life skills. It will teach you to work with people. It will teach you that not everything is fair. It will teach you that you are unique and so is every one of your sisters. It will teach you that what you put into something, is what you will get out of it. And it will give you networking you could otherwise never imagine.

But those only scratch the surface; while each person’s experience is unique and special to them, there will be lessons to last them a lifetime in their short collegiate years.

Above all, I am honored and immeasurably blessed each day to be Greek, and while I have my days and I have my moments, being a part of something so much bigger than myself is an opportunity I am honored to have.

Go Greek. Give it a chance. Give yourself the chance to be changed.