At Florida Gulf Coast University, there are seven Panhellenic sororities. Each chapter is unique and amazing, full of incredible women who, no matter their affiliation, strive to support and contribute to Greek life here on campus. This past week, I went through recruitment and found my forever home, Kappa Delta - Go Kaydee! But along the way, I got to know so many amazing women with solid values and kind hearts from different sororities than mine. I truly connected with lots of girls from different organizations, and though my heart belongs with Kappa Delta, I am still able to continue friendships with these amazing women outside my sisterhood without a problem. This is all thanks to Panhellenic love.

Of course, I am still new to Greek life, but I can tell you from what I've experienced here during recruitment, I am so lucky to be in such a healthy Greek environment. At schools where sororities are at each other's throats, competing for potential new members, it is hard to feel loved and welcomed by a community, and rather you feel constantly at war with everyone else. I couldn't imagine being in an environment like that.

Going through recruitment, I learned more and more about Panhellenic love, and I found it so fascinating. I always had the notion that every sorority hated the next, and so on, but finding a group of women that could easily put aside their letters to support other women sparked a sense of belonging inside of me, and I knew no matter where I'd end up, the Panhellenic community at FGCU was definitely where I belong.

Panhellenic love is more than just denouncing rivalry, it's about supporting other organizations, going to their events, respecting their traditions, and letting them join in on some of the fun we have. We are nothing if we don't have each other, and what good does rivalry do?

I believe kindness is the most important thing you can give to someone, and whether they return it or not is up to them. Kindness attracts people, and Panhellenic love was one of the most attractive things for me as a potential new member, and one of the reasons I am so grateful to be a part of the family I am a part of today. It's been said before, and I'll say it now again, you can always catch more bees with honey than vinegar!