As I sit here and write this article, I find that it is really difficult. It’s difficult to put into words how I felt when my big hid in the trunk of a car at reveal and jumped out with a storm of balloons and a deafening scream. Or maybe that was me screaming.
People oftentimes make fun of sororities and their big/little week/reveal. I joined my sorority during spring recruitment so I have seen big little week from an outsider’s and an active member’s point of view.
Yes, it is a little ridiculous how much my big spoiled me in the five days leading up to reveal. It is a little annoying how I posted on Facebook about how much “I love my big so much!” and “I can’t wait to find out who you are!”
What people don’t understand is that big/little week isn’t about the candy and Greek apparel and canvases. It’s not only about getting a ton of stuff to help you “fit in” to your sorority.
Big/little week is about the unconditional love your sisters (not just your big) show to you to welcome you into their organization.
When you pledge to a sorority, you promise to uphold the values of that sisterhood for life. It’s not four years, it’s for life. Of course your sisters are going to welcome you in the most loving way possible.
How can you not love a group of people who welcome you so warmly into their sisterhood? How can you not return the love they extend to you when they barely even know you?
The gifts my big gave me are invaluable; I have countless pieces of One Direction merchandise scattered around my room but the One Direction cup and pillow she gave me means more to me than anything else because it’s from my big.
I can’t help but love her. The feeling of being showered with gifts and personal notes every day is indescribable. She loved me before she even knew me.
The material objects I received didn’t compare to the last day of big/little week when I finally found out who she was.
When I ran around the parking garage with a set of keys in my hand, setting of the car alarm and angering a cop, I felt loved. When I reached the car and opened the trunk and saw my big emerge, I was so happy I almost cried.
When we took pictures afterward in our matching shirts, with me on her back and approximately 400 candid shots of us laughing, I was ecstatic. I had finally met the amazing girl who would be my mentor, my friend, my study partner, my adviser, my big sister.
Big/little reveal was so special to me because it was fun, exciting and a huge milestone in my membership to my sorority.
So I just want to send a huge thank you to my big because I know you will always be there for me whether it be info that I missed at chapter, advice about boys, needing help studying, or if I need to know the best place to get mozzarella sticks. I love that you're always up for anything and that you're so easy to get along with. You can always make me laugh and you I appreciate that so much.
You're the best big I could've asked for; you're so crazy and I love it. Here's to many many years of friendship. I love you biggie! Xoxi TFJ.
