To my future little,

I can only imagine and reminisce on the mix of anticipation, excitement, and nerves you must have for your soon endeavor of college life. Of the first night away from your parents, of the much anticipated freedom, and of the endless possibilities that lie ahead of you. I hope you are already packing up your room, connecting with people, and getting excited for this incredible opportunity.

It doesn’t seem real that I am coming up on my second year in school. That it has been a year since I packed up the only life I knew in my small town to head to the big city and a brand new life. Oh what I wish I knew then. But more than that, it doesn’t seem real that I am coming up on my second year of being apart of an incredible sisterhood. It seems like only yesterday I was in your shoes. Worrying, stressing, and imaging what it was going to be like to set up my room, have endless dining options (and no parents to tell me what to eat), and to run home to my top choice sisterhood in just a few short months.

But first let me just say that I am already SO proud of you. I am so proud of the woman that you are for stepping out of your comfort zone, for getting accepted to a wonderful school, and for going through recruitment. This is only the beginning of the extremely wonderful, exciting, and eye opening opportunities that college, this new city, and this sisterhood has to bring to you.

I can only hope that you have prepared for recruitment and you aren’t as nervous as I was. My hope is that you use this time to find out more about yourself and your values. If nothing else, I hope you learn something new about yourself in this process. But more than that, I hope you find our sisterhood as inspiring as I have. I truly hope that you get all that you wish during recruitment and that it isn’t too painful (I hope you don’t wear heels).

But more than that, I hope the sisterhood that you choose to run home to is your top choice. That you have fallen in love with the same ladies, values, and love of philanthropy that I have. I hope you have done your research (please don’t trust Greekrank) and know at least a bit about what you’re getting into. I hope that you are taking these first few weeks of school to learn your way, and get a great head start in your classes, but most importantly; take a moment to stop, breathe and take it all in. This is a time that you will never get back. These first few weeks, with all the unfamiliar faces, names, and surroundings is a time in your life unlike any other. This is a time to decide who you are and who you will become and I hope that you choose to hold yourself to a high standard no matter the environment.

Remember these moments because I promise they will never come back.

I hope that you run home to open arms and a brand new family to call your “home away from home.” Whether we have already met, we meet during move in, or we meet during recruitment, I hope that you love me as much as I already love you. I am so honored to welcome you to my sisterhood - as I hope you are - to run home to us on Bid day.

From the moment you run home to us, it will be whirlwind of commitments, new names, hugs, and confusion, but I promise to lead you and be a mentor to you through the whole process. I promise to give hugs when you need it. To be a shoulder to lean on when you’re crying. A guide when you’re confused and frustrated. I promise to be there for you no matter what. I promise to shower you with gifts (I’m already crafting, don’t worry). I promise to never let you down. To bring you lots of your favorite food. But I promise not to let this be overwhelming. If nothing else, I hope that you become a lifelong friend and sister.

Your G-big is incredible and I hope you love her as much as I do. Lean on her. She’s as smart and as poised as they come and I can only hope to be as incredible as her one day.

But most importantly I promise to be the best big sister to you that I can be.

Welcome to the fam, little. I can’t wait to meet you!

Love always,

Big