With DePauw University having delayed recruitment (spring rush), I always get nostalgic this time of year. I think of when I found the sorority I was meant to be in, Psi Lambda Xi.

I first heard about Psi Lambda Xi at the activities fair my freshman year. I had no interest in Greek life then, so I kindly took the flyer from them and went on my merry way.

I received an email inviting me to an event called Apples to Apples and Apples. It was an apple-themed game night filled with apple pie, apple cider and Apples to Apples. I had too much homework to go, but my friend went and encouraged me to send them an email saying I was interested in Psi Lambda Xi. I did, but I didn't really pursue it further.

Then, when one of my really good guy friends joined Sigma Nu, he dragged me to Psi Lambada Xi's philanthropy event, Karnival for Kids. I stopped by, and I wish I would've pursued Psi Xi then, but I still didn't.

Finally, I was in an acting class with someone who was really good friends with the sisters who helped facilitate a connection to the active members, though it wasn't until the end of my freshman year.

I had lunch with them a few times and had all of my questions answered (there were a lot), but with the end of the year approaching they didn't extend me a bid. While I hate to say what I would've done, I think I would've accepted then.

Instead, the beginning of my sophomore year, I continued hanging out with the sisters who had not already graduated. They happened to be seniors. I sat with them almost every day at lunch, and when they finally had their upperclassmen recruitment weekend, I went to one of the events. (I accidentally forgot about the first event and blew them off; they loved me anyway.) I received my first bid from them.

But even though I loved the women and felt that I could love the sisterhood, I didn't accept that initial bid. I had my heart set on another chapter, and I thought it unfair to accept a bid when my heart wasn't in it.

So, afraid that these women would no longer be my friends, I declined the bid. But nothing changed; they still loved me just as much, which I think really speaks to the nature of Psi Lambda Xi. We've had women deactivate and not initiate, but how we treat them doesn't change.

The fact of the matter is this: Deciding not to initiate or to deactivate usually has very little to do with the chapter; it has more to do with where the woman is happiest. If you truly love someone like a sister, you want them to be happy, even if that isn't within the sisterhood. That love doesn't change based on a decision to identify with a group or not.

By the beginning of second-semester my sophomore year, I was contemplating expressing interest in the sorority again, but I wanted to make sure that I wanted to join before doing so. I didn't want to lead them on. After stalking me in the library (another story for another time), they extended me a second bid. I hadn't even gone to any of their second-semester recruitment events. They said, "Because it's recruitment season and we love you."

I went home and cried because I wasn't 100 percent sure. I felt that if I said no again, they would never extend me another bid. So, I went home and cried. I had a few friends who helped me make the decision, and I finally accepted the bid.

It's been almost two years, and I can honestly say that I wouldn't have it any other way. I found a group of women who love me despite my flaws and encourage me to be a better version of myself each and every day. I'm not sure what I would do without them, and thankfully, I never have to find out. My only regret is not joining sooner, but then again, maybe I needed some time so I could really appreciate all that Psi Xi has to offer.