It's so crazy to me to think that just a year ago I was going through each sorority house trying to find my future home. Today I sit here in the social room of the Kappa Delta house and write an article about how my love for KD has grown tremendously over the course of two weeks. Time flies and things change so quickly. When you finally sit back reflect on what has happened over the past year, you will be amazed at how you have grown as a person. It's no surprise that I should give a good amount of credit to the beautiful sisterhood of Kappa Delta Sorority for the woman I am today.

I thought I was afraid a year ago when I walked into Kappa Delta for the very first time. As I stood on the other side of the door waiting for the first girl to walk in our home, I realized that how I felt then doesn't even compare to the nerves that consumed me this past week. I was overwhelmed by every emotion imaginable. I was excited, anxious, nervous, and even prideful because I couldn't wait to share this beautiful sisterhood with someone new. Being on the other side of recruitment can make an unbelievable impact on how you view your sorority. It will make you appreciate it so much more the moment Spirit Week begins to the very much anticipated Bid Day

"I never realized how much effort was put into recruitment, especially behind the scenes, until now. It really made me feel important and truly valued by KD because just last year these young women were doing all this for me." Mackenzi Hill, sophomore in Kappa Delta, Delta Delta chapter

On a personal level, Kappa Delta means so much more to me now than it did just a few weeks ago. Over the course of Spirit Week and Formal Recruitment, Kappa Delta has somehow managed to infect my heart so deeply that I might actually bleed green and white. To be honest, last year I treated this wonderful sisterhood as just another "thing to do" to cross off each day in my Lilly Pulitzer planner. I truly regret the attitude I had because I realized that Kappa Delta is so much more than another extra-curricular activity. Now here I am, already a sophomore, with only three years left as an active member. My advice to all the baby bears that I will meet is not to let a whole year, a week, or even a day go by without being fully committed to this sisterhood. My advice to all my sisters that I cherish so much is that if you haven't realized it yet you will soon see that you cannot go back to your first big little reveal, pledge retreat, or even awkward swaps. Start making the most of Kappa Delta this very moment.

"When they tell you college goes by really fast, they aren't kidding. College has given me the best three years of my life, and I really have my sorority to thank for that. I never knew until I was on the other side of recruitment how much I loved all of my sisters and how close we really are. I can't believe that my time at KD is almost over. Graduating college is such a bittersweet feeling." Kerrie Reynolds, senior in Kappa Delta, Delta Delta chapter

There will come a time when you don't mind sacrificing a good night's sleep (or four good nights) for your sorority. Staying up for hours at the KD house, hyped up on lattes and red bull, seems worth it when there isn't a single wrinkle in the set for skit day. There will come a time when you are so in love with being a part of something bigger than yourself, that you don't hesitate to volunteer for anything and everything. Even if that something is wiping down all the baseboards in the house, steaming all the curtains in the chapter room, or sanding and re-painting the bench on the front porch in 104 degree weather. You will do it without a single complaint. Like senior LDC, Andrea Shook said during her visit, "It's all for a greater and better Kappa Delta."There may even come a time when you are so in love with recruitment and sharing the love of Kappa Delta, that you'll wish you could have had the chance to meet all 441 girls that came through the front door on philanthropy day.

First day of Formal Recruitment with my big, Ashlee Laramore

Philanthropy Day 2 with sisters Abby Catherine Sanders, Jordan Stokes, Courtney Tucker, and Chandler Watts all from the pledge class of 2014

Skit Day with sisters Chandler Watts and Rachel Livingston

Last day of recruitment, Preference Day, with some of the pledge class of 2014

Bid Day: Abby Catherine Sanders, Shelby Miller, Sara Ingram and I welcoming home new members and our sister Emilee Speed who was a Pi Chi

76 beautiful new members of Kappa Delta before church on Sunday, August 9, 2015

I couldn't be more thankful for the beautiful gifts of true sisterhood and loyal friendship that I have gained from Kappa Delta. There is a long list of things that I have found in KD, and probably even more to come. I can't wait to see what the next three years brings my chapter and I. And to the pledge class of 2015, the sisters of Kappa Delta welcome you to your new home. Every late night and early morning was more than worth it. We hope you find what we have found in KD, and so much more.