Dear Maddie,
I wanted to write and let you know how unbelievably happy I am to be your big. You are a light to those around you and have a way of making others feel comfortable. I am blessed beyond belief to have been able to talk to you during recruitment, be your bid day buddy, and then end up as your big! I remember talking to you about God knows what and remembering you throughout the week as a genuine and kindhearted girl who would make ADPi better. I am so glad you chose us!
So, it is mid-February and it is your first year of college. I can completely relate to the stress of things that are going on, so know that I am here for you whenever you need me. Classes, socials, boys, and just finding out who you are can be more stressful than you ever imagined, but know that we have all been there. You will soon find a balance of all the things you love that will make everything so much more doable, and so much less stressful. Patience and faith that the Lord will show you what you need is key! There will be really hard times, especially this first year, but prayer and faith will get you through it.
I know this seems like a letter from some old person who has done it all, but I struggle too. I don’t know if you have creeped on me as much as I have creeped on you, but if you have you know that I blog a lot, and if you have read those blogs you know that I struggle quite a lot. I came into my freshman year of college with more self-hatred than your average 18 year old. I was not confident in my appearance, or my abilities, and I did not think I deserved anything -- especially not to be in ADPi. I felt completely unworthy of love and completely unworthy of the good things happening around me. ADPi gave me friendships that changed my life. I still struggle daily, but I have best friends through this sorority who have changed my perspective on life entirely. They have taught me what true joy is and that is only attainable through our loving Heavenly Father.
I pray that you find those friendships in ADPi, that you can build your relationship with the Lord through fellowship with girls you haven’t known for most of your life. It can be so hard getting to know who your best friends are going to be, and it certainly is not automatic. Once you find those people, college becomes what you see in the movies -- fun nights out, or nights in eating cookie dough and watching a Nicholas Sparks movie while you cry.
Either way you do it, your best friends are there. That still amazes me. I went through high school with a lot of friends and maybe two best friends still were not always the greatest. I came to college expecting the same. I got used to being the friend that bounced around and was not really close with anyone. Then ADPi happened.
ADPi gave me the push I needed to grow closer to the Lord, it gave me best friends for the first time, and it gave me hope that I am not worthless and that people do truly care about me. I pray that you find the true joy I did through ADPi, that you enjoy your freshman year as much as I did and that you feel comfortable enough to share anything with me.
I am here for you 100 percent and will do absolutely anything for you! I hope you realize just how much of an amazing experience this is. I love you so much, Maddie, and cannot wait to see you grow during your time here at Auburn.
Love,
Emma
