One of the events every girl in a sorority looks forward to is getting her big. A big is there to guide you through your journey in Greek life, she’s there to encourage you, give you advice and just be there for you as a friend. A lot of times the matchings work out perfectly and other times they don’t as well, both are common and it's okay if it doesn’t work out because you always have the 70 other sisters in your sorority to fall back on. For me, the process of getting my big was extremely exciting. Having to meet and get to know so many wonderful girls that could have possibly been my big, I didn’t end up getting to know right before the end of the process. Our friendship was slow to start but once we clicked, we clicked. I wouldn’t ask for anyone else in the world to be my big and now the person I call one of my very best friends. Our pairing was a match made in heaven. She’s the peanut butter to my jelly and I am the mac to her cheese and here is why:
- She goes above and beyond. My big is the type of person who puts her heart and soul into everything she does. Whether it be fulfilling her role as my big and teaching me everything to know for the new member exam or doing a presentation on teaching the importance of always wearing your letters, she gives it her all.
- We’re each other’s therapists. Sitting in the drop off lane of my dorm hall in my big’s car telling each other our pent up frustrations for over an hour was normal. Calling each other at random times of the day to do the same is also very typical. I know if there is ever something bothering me, she is there to listen and tell me her honest opinion.
- Study dates are always a yes. Even if we don’t always actually study and end up drinking our Starbucks while we talk about our lives and the next pair of shoes we want to buy, it’s the thought that counts. And even though we both know we won't get any studying done, we still always agree to some homework at the UC.
- We’ve seen each other at our wackiest. There have been many times where I have been picked up from the Wayside by my big or the McDonald’s parking lot across the street and sequentially talked her ear off in the car about god knows what on our way home and she has listened every time even though I know she secretly laughs too. But I also do the same when it's my turn and have secretly caught it on video too, hey Big remember St. Patty’s Day?
- We take turns being caretakers. If I want to go out and need a ride somewhere my big doesn’t hesitate to drive me and if she needs a ride when she goes out, I don’t hesitate to be her driver for the night.
- Being weird is normal. Once the barrier of feeling comfortable around my big was met, it was acceptable to be weird and not care about doing so, plus it's more fun anyways.
- You always have a good time together. Whether we’re just hanging and lying around, getting food, or going out, having fun is inevitable.
- Telepathy is common. Maybe it’s just with my big and I, but we’ll always show up to see each other wearing the same vest or pair of shoes. She will always text me something I was just about to say or vice versa. Even when we’re out, one of us always knows when the other wants to leave. I swear we read each others minds.
- Crafting time is intense. So intense that one of us ends up sitting on the cup of yogurt we were eating because we get so lost in the crafts.
- She is secretly one of my top role models. Whether she knows this or not, I aspire to be like my big. She is an amazing leader, an advocate for what’s right, extremely compassionate, and very dedicated to our sisterhood and the people that are important to her.
Mentor. Sister. Confidant. Therapist. Caretaker. Role Model. Teacher. Support System. Shopping pal. Laughter buddy. Best Friend for life. All are words or phrases that come to mind when I think of my big.
