As a PNM going through sorority recruitment, one of the aspects of sorority life that I was most excited for was getting a Big. During my conversations with the actives, I was told several times that they were already looking around the room full of PNMs and picking out their future Littles. I tried to fathom that someone possibly already had her heart set on me, that someone wanted me, that someone had been waiting for me to come into their life, that someone was excited to call me their very own Little.

During Big/Little reveal week, as the baskets showed up at my door one by one, I fell in love with her sweet notes and incredibly thoughtful gifts that showed she cared. She made me feel special and loved. I hoped more than anything that I got the girl that I put as my number one choice. At reveal, when I ran and jumped into her arms (although from the candid pictures, it looks more like a tackle), I was the happiest Little in the whole world. Since that day, my Big has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.

To My Big:

Thank you for teaching me I could be myself (my entire, weird, quirky self) and still be wholeheartedly and unconditionally loved. You taught me to embrace my flaws, because they are what makes me beautiful and unique. You are a more driven, confident, and compassionate version of me, and every day, you make me want to be a better person. You inspired me to always try to make a difference, even if it's as seemingly minuscule as making a stranger smile. You taught me to be unafraid to laugh a little too loud, dance a little too crazy, and love a little too hard.

Thank you for always being there for me no matter what. If I need you at any given time, you drop what you're doing and immediately come to my rescue. You came straight to my room as fast as you could when I called you crying about the boy who hurt me. You are always down for Mexican food and pizza if I just need to have a long conversation. Even if you know nothing about the subject, you're always willing to help me study for an upcoming test that's stressing me out, and you're always the first person to ask how I did after I take it. You're always there with a shoulder to cry on, a pair of open arms, or copious amounts of comfort food.

Thank you for being my partner in crime. Thank you for keeping my life interesting and making me laugh constantly. One of my favorite memories is dancing with you at formal, while you were wearing a turkey leg hat on your head and everyone was staring, but you didn't care one bit. There is never a dull moment with us; we are constantly making jokes and cracking up at each other's stupid mistakes. You're one of the few people who I genuinely laugh out loud with about our texts... the crying laughing emojis and "LOLs" are real. Our conversations are seriously one of the reasons I need a passcode on my phone--those jokes are too sacred and golden to be seen by others' eyes.

Most of all, thank you for being you. You are everything that I could've ever wanted in a Big and more, and I am so blessed and proud to be your Little! I hope our troublemaking tendencies and inseparable bond will lead us to one day be those old ladies wreaking havoc in the nursing home.