Hey Little,

It’s crazy to think that you’ve been active for almost a whole semester! It’s hard to think that there was ever a time I didn’t know you. I remember when I was trying to decide who I wanted to be my little sister in our sorority. I can honestly admit now that I was definitely stalking you after our first meeting -- I wanted to know if you were really the cool girl I had met or if you were just pretending to get me to like you. Obviously, I know the truth now. We talked a bunch of times and through our talks I started to see the girl underneath all your layers. She was sweet, got hurt easily, was more clumsy and I, and had a heart larger than anyone I had ever met. The only thing that gave me pause was your age, you’re a year older than me. This simple fact made me hesitant because Little’s are supposed to depend on Big’s. We’re supposed to give you advice and counsel. Help you with your problems and ensure that (at least during new member education) that you know who everyone is and how to navigate around campus. But you already knew these things. You already knew everyone, you already established yourself on campus and you already had everything handled – so why would you need me? Then one day I was in the shower contemplating life – as all people do between sudsing up their hair and shaving their legs – and your name just popped into my head. I remember having a moment, an epiphany, and I knew. I knew I wanted you to be my Little, even though you were older than me. I knew that even if you were smarter than me and had your life more put together I could still help you.

When you accepted your bid I screamed. I felt elation and joy and I could see the same emotions in your pretty eyes. You walked across that stage and all I wanted to do was rush you with a hug. But I couldn’t. You couldn’t know that I was your Big yet and I had to be content with that until the time came.

You told me that you knew it would be me, when you turned around and saw that I was your Big. You said that I wasn’t very sneaky or secretive and I just had to laugh because that is very true. I am, admittedly, not the slyest person. It’s a good thing I’m a communication’s major because being a spy just wouldn’t work out.

So, pledging happened. It was hard, as it always is but I was there for you just like I promised you in the beginning. You cried some nights and I cried with you other nights and in the end we all came out alright. Then, we were sisters. The knowledge that you were older than me didn’t really matter as much as I thought it would after new member education ended. I had thought that I, as your Big, needed to help you like all the other Big’s did with their Littles. I guess I just wanted to feel needed. I was scared that you wouldn’t need me. But you did. You needed me to help out a few times and it always sparked a warm feeling in my heart when you’d text me to say you need something or that you wanted my help. I liked the thought that you might need me because let’s be honest, everyone likes being needed.

Then the strangest thing happened, I started needing you right back. Because you’re older than me you knew things, had experiences, which I haven’t had yet. When I felt lost, when my dad got sick, when school became too much you helped me find myself again. You stopped me from being swallowed by life.

Next year you’ll be a senior and I’ll be a junior. It hurts to know that you’re going to graduate in two semesters and leave me Little-less but I am so excited to watch them call out your name on graduation. I can’t wait to see you flip your tassel from left to right. I know I’m going to cry when you smile up at the stands -- probably to your real mom and dad but hey, I’ll be just as proud also.

I thought that being your Big meant helping you, but really picking you to be my Little is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.