You probably remember it like it was yesterday. You were sitting there on bid day, probably next to the people who were in your traveling group all throughout recruitment. You ask them what chapters they visited during preference round and where they think that they are going to end up. I remember congratulating the women who had tough choices and who knew that, whichever chapter they received a bid from, they would be happy. When the moment finally came and you opened your bid, you were flooded with happiness.
When going to the chapter house on that first day, I was immediately welcomed home. I have to admit that I was apprehensive about sorority life and I didn’t know if going Greek was right for me. However, when I saw the faces of the seniors on Bid Day, everything changed. Girls were tearing up telling all of us new members how special we were and how adorable we looked in our new letters. They were so happy to have us there that I thought that there was no place where I’d rather be.
Fast forward a few years and here you are. It is your last chapter meeting and your heart is pounding because you know that senior send-offs are tonight and one of your younger friends, whether it is your Little or your rush crush, is going to stand up and talk about you while also saying goodbye. You remember when your Big graduated and you were in that position. You were the one saying goodbye then. Now, it has all come full circle and it is your turn. You get emotional when you hear your best friends being sent off and cry like a baby when it is your turn. At the end of chapter meeting, you get up for the senior ceremony. Your palms are sweating and you’re nervous, even though all that you have to do is stand there. You hold hands with the other seniors and cry not only because you are leaving your sorority, but because you know that, in a couple of short weeks, you will also be leaving the university that you called home for all of your college days.
During my preference ceremony at Alpha Xi Delta, we were asked, “Who do you want to be during your years at Iowa? Where will you call home? Where will you belong? Most of all, what qualities are you looking for in the people who will be your closest friends, your sisters?” I have this memorized because not only was I asked these questions as a potential new member, but I got to ask the very same ones as an initiated member during my last formal recruitment. I remember seeing some of the girls in the front row crying and returning those tears when I saw them come home on bid day. I remember ambushing my rush crush because I couldn’t wait to eventually call her my Little. During my years at Iowa, I wanted to find friends who I knew that I could count on for a lifetime. I wanted to fit in and make a difference in someone’s life. Even if I only touched one person, I wanted something. I wanted to call the place where I always felt accepted "home." I wanted people who were caring, kind, outgoing, and who would always have my back as my sisters.
Through Alpha Xi Delta, I have found exactly what I am looking for. In a sorority of 150 girls, you aren’t going to impact everyone and become everyone’s best friend, but the people who I have been able to call my closest friends mean everything to me. I am so grateful that I chose to join an organization that cared so much about finding girls who were just like me and bringing us together. Saying "goodbye" is not easy, so that is why this is a "see you later." I will be back for football games and wrestling meets. I know that on Founder’s Day, Lexy and I will be remembering what it was like when we lived in the house together as roommates and how much has changed while still remaining the same. We will remember Devan taking pictures of me when I was asleep, Michelle locking herself out of her room, and Emily being frightened by me coming out of the bathroom when she didn’t have her glasses on. I’ll remember visiting even when I didn’t live in, bonding with Lydia, being shady with Chantel, and having sleepovers with Paige and Jenni.
Being an active member of a sorority is something special, but I cannot wait to see what being an alumna has in store for me. Thank you, Alpha Xi Delta for welcoming me home and for sending me off with a bang. Thank you to all of the girls who let me know how welcome I made them feel when they didn’t know anyone and how much they will miss me when I’m gone. It really means so much to me. My wish for all of you is that you don’t forget about me, even though I feel like I’ve made that impossible by annoying you all with my wild stories. Have courage, be gracious, make peace. TFJ and xoxi (always pronounced zo zee).
