So now I have a little. It truly feels like yesterday that I was getting my bid. I had just moved to a new state without knowing a single soul at my new school. I got to Pullman, made it through recruitment, and was loving my new PC. Since I was new to Greek life, I really didn’t understand the big/ little relationship. It’s not necessarily that of a big sister. Yes, it’s someone who is required to love you just like you’re required to love your siblings. They learned what it means to be a big from their big just like you learn how to be a sibling from your sibling. Each big-little relationship is unique. Yet, the main theme is always to take care and pass on your knowledge.

I always thought that by the time sophomore year rolled around I’d be bored of the parties, school work, and general life at college. I’d have everything figured out and be ready to have my little to spice up my life. Now looking back at that, I was stupid. College is never boring. There’s always something new to do and something new you HAVE to do. So when will you be ready to get a little? The answer: Probably never, but that’s OK.

Most good things in life are kinda scary. So this year when I showed up for work week all that was on my mind was recruiting an amazing PC. After we accomplished this goal, all I wanted was my little. Who would she be? Would she look like me? What would we have in common? And how the hell am I supposed to take care of her?

Then I found Emily. I picked her up on bid day and she was shy. She got to DG and was overjoyed but also a little nervous for what the day would hold. So, of course, I hugged her, threw her into my car and drove to Dutch to get some coffee. (Those of you not from Washington or Idaho don’t know the addiction that is Dutch Brothers.) So I showed Emily how yummy Dutch is and carted her around, showing her Pullman and talking to her about what the next week had in store.

As that week passed, I realized that little miss Emily is the furthest thing from shy you’ll ever meet. She just takes a second to warm up and then bam!---- she’s the funniest girl around. A few more weeks passed, and I just knew she had to be my little. Soon we found out, as bigs, who we got to be our littles. The worst part of the whole thing was keeping it a secret.

So finally, Emily.

I’m so freakin’ lucky to be your big. It definitely weirds me out that I’ve been hanging around Pullman long enough to be someone’s big. Here’s the thing, you’re an amazing person. You’re strong and opinionated (a little like me). You know what you want, and I know you can work hard enough to get it. My favorite thing about you is your sense of humor, you’re funny as hell without making a single joke. I like how comfortable you are with yourself. I like how you ask me questions about homework--- I never took economics, how should I know?

I’ve said numerous times that I wasn’t ready to get a little. It feels like yesterday that I was in high school, how can I be a college sophomore? Then I realized that you give me more than I give you. You give me someone to watch out for so that I’m not off being crazy. You remind me that I don’t know it all and that sometimes I need to look at things with fresh eyes. You remind me that people are always more important than things. The best part about having you as my little? How much you love me.

So thank you, Emily, for choosing me to be your big and loving me just as much as I love you.