I am forever thankful for the day I decided to join a sorority. Being in a sorority encompasses making new friends, getting leadership experience and opportunities, and stepping out of your comfort zone. While getting to know all my new sisters, I felt as though I had made a good decision, but it wasn’t until I got my Big at Big/Little Reveal that I knew I had found my home away from home. My Big has forever changed my college experience, and I can’t even begin to thank her enough for it.

Thank you…for immediately pestering me with a lot of questions about my high school friends, my family, my boyfriend, and my classes. Thank you for picking me and bringing me into the best family ever. You didn’t treat me as a job you had to take on or someone you just got paired with, rather you really got to know me and allowed me to get to know you. I love coming over and talking with you for hours about all of our silly stories and the boys we liked in high school.

Thank you…for taking me under your wing. Going to socials and school events are 10 times better when I know you’ll be there or when we’re going together. You’ve taught me everything I need to know about what it takes to be a good sister, the ropes of how to be in a sorority, how to attempt to do adult and college-like activities, and much more. You always tell me you’ll take anyone down that tries to mess with me, and you’re seriously the best because of it.

Thank you…for setting the bar so high. You are someone I aspire to be and have a gigantic heart. You are gracious, you are loving, and you are beautiful. You give great advice when I'm struggling to make a tricky decision. You are my biggest fan (and I’m yours), you are always motivating me to do my best, and you are often more excited about my own successes than I am. On the other hand, you also support me when I decide to skip a class because I’m just not feeling it and let me come hang out with you, and I appreciate you for that.

Thank you…for teaching me how to be a better friend and a better person. You understand situations I encounter from my point of view, but also play devil’s advocate to help me see and understand the other side of it when I’m stuck in my own mindset, and I love that about you. You always have the answers I need to hear. You bring out the best in me and have exemplified the qualities it takes to be a well-rounded woman, which serves as a daily reminder for me of what it takes to be the kind of person I would like to be.

Thank you…for listening to me complain about everything, from the annoying girl in my class to the stupidly hard microbiology exam I had. Thank you for letting me spam your phone when I need to rant, for always being there for me to talk to, and for confiding in me as well. Your hugs are the greatest when I’m having a crappy day, and we both understand that sometimes you're just in a sad mood for no reason, you know? You are my go to, you always have my back, and I know I could trust you with my life.

Thank you…for the random 'good luck on finals' goodie bags and the motivational memes you send me before my exams. You are my essential humor for the day and I love that you always remember the little things that are going on in my life. You always believe in me and remind me to push to strive in all I do and realize my potential, even when school gets hard and life is dumb.

Thank you...for the quick 45-minute lunch dates in between classes, the grilled cheese date nights, and for taking on the mom role when you find out I haven't eaten yet by whipping up something for me real fast. When the week gets too hectic, I live for the small breaks where I get to see my big! Now that you live in a different state for the summer and we both suck at texting, I value our weekly essay texts of life updates more and more!

Thank you…for being you! I wouldn’t trade you for the world.

Soon it will be my turn. I can only hope when I decide to take a little, that I can be half as good for her as you are for me. Thank you.