During my first year of college, I had not considered Greek life at all. It was strange watching two of my roommates get dressed up at ungodly hours of the morning, looking better than I could have ever hoped for, to impress upperclassmen and show that they were this enough or that enough to become a member of a specific organization. I remember their excitement over meeting women they connected with, but also their anxiety over which one of them would be invited to the house they wanted.
There wasn't a specific reason why I had decided to not go through formal recruitment my freshman year (aside from the fact that my parents made it very clear they didn't have the money to spare and would not be able to cover dues), but watching my roommates be so ridiculously stressed over which letters they would wear on their chest did not make me regret my decision.
My two roommates got bids from the houses they were most excited about, and I was not only happy for them but also happy that the whole ordeal was finally over.
Then Big/Little selection rolled around. My roommates agonized for weeks about who they wanted their Bigs to be, and then if their Bigs would even want them as Littles. I wondered what it would be like to be randomly assigned to someone like that, but it was fleeting. By the time their Big/Little week came around, and these two sophomores that I knew in passing were decorating one side of the room and leaving gifts and snacks everywhere, I wanted to know what that was like.
Then I got a bid from the Alpha Rho chapter of Delta Zeta.
I remember it very clearly. Joy and confusion, rolling around me. I had no idea how to react. I was incredibly flattered, and the moment I was handed the small white envelope I wanted to join, but I knew it wouldn't work out. I eventually contacted the Membership/Recruitment Chair and let her know that I would be deferring my bid for next semester, as I did not have the money to go through.
And my first day of sophomore year, after an entire summer working and saving money, I walked up to the same girl I had sent an email to and asked if my bid was still on the table. When she said yes, I let her know that I would like to accept it. Our smiles matched, we were so happy. It was the first time I hugged her, though not the last.
Since then, Delta Zeta has given me many, many things. From leadership roles and amazing opportunities and experiences to friends I would never have made otherwise.
But the one thing I will forever be thankful for is my beautiful, generous, amazing and exceptional Little.
She is the reason I have faith in our chapter, and she is the best person I know. She understands me like no one else does, and I do not have enough words to say how much I appreciate her, or how glad I am she's in my life. She perseveres, keeps up with my weirdness, and is the most supportive person I know. I don't know what I would do without her.
As we look towards Formal Recruitment, I hope everyone finds their home, gets the fuzzy feeling I get when I see my letters and my house, and hopefully finds a Big or a Little that means as much to them as mine does to me.
Be Bold. Be More. Be Greek.
