When I walked into the Alpha Gam house at Troy University for recruitment week, I saw a sea full of faces I had never seen before. I immediately felt overwhelmed. I thought, “How am I going to remember all of your names?” and for a moment, I questioned my decision of replanting my life halfway through my college career. This moment of doubt quickly vanished when a big group of you greeted me within moments of me walking inside. Recruitment week could have easily stressed me and sent my “new girl anxieties” over the edge, but it didn’t—it introduced me to all of my new best friends!

When classes started, I didn’t feel like the new girl. In a foreign place, I knew familiar faces.

Through all of the ups and downs of my first semester here, y'all were by my side. Not once did I feel alone! When I didn’t know where “Hawkins Hall” was, y'all were only a phone call away to tell me where to go. When I needed a saga date for fried chicken Wednesday, Alex was up for the task. When this season of The Bachelor was way too intense to watch alone, Mollie popped popcorn. When I went through a rough breakup, Ally made sure I had someone to talk to. When I got a good parking spot outside of my dorm (a rarity on Troy’s campus), Katie gave me rides to events so I didn’t have to lose it. When I needed a good laugh, I foundTesse (duh!). When I just needed I hug, Jenna and her dog were ready for me to come over. When I needed a date for a function, Meredith and Allison were there with a list of eligible bachelors I could take!!

I look back to a year ago and truly wonder how I did life without you girls.

So thank you, sisters, for everything! I am forever grateful to you all for turning what could have been a difficult transition, into one of the best times of my life!!

So much love for you all,

Martha :)