Growing up, I was never the "girly girl" type. I didn't go through any Disney Princess phase, never really enjoyed playing dress up or playing "house" with the other girls at school. In fact, I liked to read, play football with my dad, and play "school" with my cousins. Things definitely changed when I got into high school, where I actually began to care what people think of me, a place where these traits would be seen as 'undesirable' in a girl my age.
Moving forward out of high school and into college, I never saw myself as being a "sorority girl"; I'm nowhere near being a size 0, my GPA was OK but definitely subpar, and I don't always want to be around people. I felt this way up until I was actually walking around on campus, seeing the variety of the girls that were wearing letters. I went back to my dorm and signed up for recruitment that night.
Recruitment was the most nerve-wracking thing that I've ever put myself through but also had the biggest reward. I am now a proud sister of Delta Zeta, and I wouldn't change that for the world. Standing next to these girls I've never felt more included, loved and accepted. They push me out of my comfort zone and I find myself opening up more than I ever have. Study dates have become more than just studying, and grabbing lunch is always an event with my sisters.
You know you're in the right sorority when you feel you can bang on the door of the house, even if you don't live there. You know you're in the right sorority when you know your sisters will be there to keep you grounded and throw you out of your comfort zone in the same day. You know you're in the right sorority when you know you never have to eat another meal alone or hire a tutor because you've got sisters that have already taken that course. You know you're in the right sorority when you feel at home.
Delta Zeta, thank you for giving me an endless amount of sisters standing with their arms wide open, thank you for allowing me to get back to the old me, thank you for giving us a beautiful house to bond in, thank you for supporting us while we support our philanthropies, but most importantly, thank you for being my home away from home.
