I vowed to myself from a young age I would never join a sorority. I didn’t understand the hype around them. Why did I need to join an organization with fancy letters to make friends and be liked in college? I already had a sister, I didn’t need a hundred more. My first year of college, I stuck to this mindset. No one could convince me a sorority could become the best aspect of my life.
This all changed the summer before my second year. To put it simply, I felt lost and alone. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my degree, I was growing apart from my best friends, and I was dreading every aspect of going back to school. I was a semester away from transferring back to my hometown in an attempt to fill this void. I decided on a whim to rush this past fall: it changed my life.
Coming home to Alpha Delta Pi, I found my best friend. Cliché I know, but this specific sister ended up being my big. Prior to reveal day, I had no idea she existed. The banner fell and there was this complete stranger lunging at me with open arms. The adrenaline rushing, I couldn’t have been happier. Gab, otherwise known as My Gib, saved me from myself.
Truthfully, I don’t think she realizes the impact she’s had on me. Gib took me in as if we had known each other forever as if I was one of her biological sisters. So here it is, a love letter to my Gib….
I know I can always turn to you when I need to vent, tell a corny joke, or need a date to the library. You always entertain my brilliant ideas. Remember when we ate a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the library? You encouraged my antics like wearing socks with my heels to chapter. You always calm me down when I’m having a meltdown about school and never fail to make sure my day has a few moments of positivity in it.
Dancing on chairs with you at retreat while belting out the lyrics to “Get Low,” I knew I became a part of a family bigger than the labels given to us. Having you by my side, I stopped feeling alone and lost. We share a love of Dunkin’, chemistry jokes, and squats, and a friendship where we get sad at the thought of not seeing each other every day.
Thank you for changing my life. You helped bring me out of a low point in my life without realizing it. Your good vibes only, positive attitude is infectious and a day doesn’t go by where you don’t make me laugh and thankful I came home to Alpha Delta Pi.
To anyone out there afraid to join or turned off from joining a sorority due to the stereotypes, I’m going to stop you right there. Joining ADPi was the single most influential decision I have made this far. I really did meet my future bridesmaids, my forever sisters, and my best friend.
