When I opened my bid card on bid day, I was overjoyed to get to run home to the house I fell in love with during recruitment. Meeting tons of new sisters, learning hand signs and getting to see the entire house for the first time was all so exciting. I knew from that moment that my sorority was going to be special to me, but I had no idea just how much I would grow inside those walls and alongside those sisters of mine.

It may seem like sororities are centered around socials, t-shirts and photo-op moments that don't mean that much, but honestly, a sorority is so much more than posts on Instagram. Throughout my time in my sorority, I have realized what it means to have friends and be a friend.

The friendships I have made with my sisters are of much higher caliber than those I had before. I have met people that truly accept me for what I am, people who don't want to change me, but rather foster the good in me until I become the best version of myself I can be.

Before joining, I never had anyone that could see the good and the bad in me and choose both, but all of the friends I've made in this house do. It's cliche to say that I've found my bridesmaids, but cliches are always rooted in truth. I know I couldn't have any momentous occasion in my life without my sisters by y side, and that includes my wedding.

When I look back at the most fun moment in college, they are all centered around my sorority. From the nights I spontaneously went out with girls, I don't hang out with much and had the greatest time, to the philanthropy events where I laughed with my BFFs the whole time, to the nights we all stayed in the house, sharing facemasks and secrets while Grease played in the background.

Since joining, I've never had to worry about being alone or being scared to be myself. I know that no matter what, I have a hundred plus girls who have my back.

I have learned that laughter is the best medicine to cure a broken heart or a stressed-out mind, and that pizza tastes so much better shared with someone else. I have learned that sometimes nights in are far better than nights and that you can always stand out, but you never have to stand alone. I have learned that love isn't simple, but it's the greatest of all things, and it was my sisters and my sorority that taught me these things.