Although I am so grateful for my younger sister, I grew up wondering what it would be like to have a brother. When I found out that I was becoming an older brother, I hoped and prayed that my mother would give birth to another boy. My sister came into the world and I was thrilled. However, I was still left with the emptiness of not knowing what it was like to have a brother in my life. My mother decided to stop having children after my sister was born. This decision left me in despair because I thought I would never get a brother in my life. Little did I know, 15 years later I would get about 40 brothers.
I began my first year of college and I slowly began to make new friends and venture out of my comfort zone. Growing up, I never could see myself joining a fraternity. The entire first year of college, I sat back and watched all the fraternity guys have what seemed like a great time. I finally decided to accept a bid my second year of college to Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. As I began to meet all the members and alumni, I felt so at home and welcomed by everyone. I began to form relationships with my brothers, and continue to do so even today. The friendships I have made through my fraternity are ones that I would not trade for the world. I now not only have one brother, but more than I could’ve ever imagined.
I now know what it feels like to have someone to look up to as a brotherly figure, and I strive every day to be a brotherly figure that new members can look up to. Although they may not be blood, I would do anything for them and I know they would do the same. It is comforting knowing that I can go to one of them about something I am going through, and even if they don’t understand exactly how I feel, the conversation alone helps. Sometimes we butt heads and may disagree on certain subjects, but we each learn something new from every experience. There are many things that I feel more comfortable talking to my brothers about, and I trust that they will lead me in the right direction.
Whether it be hanging out at our house or playing a sport on the field, I am so grateful for each and every one of them and all that they have taught me. My brothers have instilled in me a sense of loyalty, compassion, independence, and most of all, how to be a brother. I am a more responsible adult because of them, and I know I will continue to learn from them for years to come. They are not my brothers just for four years, but my brothers for a lifetime.
