Dear Sisters,

When you welcomed me home, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. You were my first choice and I was thrilled that you wanted me enough to give me a bid, but, at the same time, I was a little nervous. I walked into a house full of over more than 70 strong women, most of whom I didn’t know. There was chanting and singing, so much energy, and an information overload. At that point, all that I wanted was to learn all of your names. Knowing you personally seemed like a long shot. As it happened, the years went by and you became some of my closest friends. Each class that we welcome home continues to hold incredibly valuable friendships and, for that, I am incredibly thankful.

Thank you, sisters. Thank you for being some of the weirdest, but most loving people who I have ever known. Thank you for never failing to make me laugh. Thank you for ending a hard week with good movies and a pint of ice cream. Thank you for being most of the few and far between spectators at my cross country and track meets. Thank you for not judging me for spending five hours on the couch on the weekends when I don’t have meets. Thank you for loving "Gilmore Girls," "The Middle," and snapchat stories as much as I do. Thanks for letting me rant about classes, boys, politics, and everything in between. Thanks for giving me someone to sit by in every class and for preventing me from ever eating dinner alone.

Most importantly, thanks for being the women who inspire me. I wanted to come home to you because I had never seen a group of more driven, devoted, and genuine women. You are some of the hardest working students and athletes on campus, you set goals and you reach them, you face the world head on, and I’m so thankful to wear your letters.

Sisters, thanks for being you.

Loyally,

Stephanie