After finishing sorority recruitment, all I can say is WOW. What a long, tiring, exciting, rollercoaster of a week. Though it was such a nerve-racking experience, I am so glad to have been a part of Butler University's sorority recruitment! Looking back at the series of events that transpired this past week, I wonder "How did I come out smiling?" It is a week of emotions- good and bad. But in the end, it is all worth it.

I got back on campus and had no clue what to expect. I had heard it was stressful, emotional, terrifying and horrific. The stories of recruitment scared the daylights out of me, but after arriving at my first meeting with my recruitment counselor, I knew that this was not going to be like any other recruitment process. My little group became my mini-cheerleader section; when we were waiting up until 11 pm to rank our houses, it was these girls who kept a happy feeling in my heart and a smile on my face.

Even when things didn't turn out the way one of us had hoped, we remained positive with each other and kept on encouraging one another. A process that could have been taken as a "challenge" or a competition turned out to be one of support and endless smiles. While we spent what seemed like never-ending days organizing ourselves into lines, walking through the snow to each house, waiting in rooms to rank our houses and eating endless cups of Easy-Mac, we can look back on this week and proudly say "We made it!"

Sunday, January 14 I opened my Bid Card and could not wipe the huge smile off of my face. So, to anyone anxiously awaiting their school's recruitment process, I assure you that the moment you open that envelope the whole crazy week will seem like the best decision you've ever made!

Running home to my new sisters was such an exciting moment, one that I cannot put into words. I felt so surrounded by love and happiness and looked around at the amazing girls I now got to share an incredible sisterhood with. While I was so overwhelmed with emotions, I managed to get myself together and take a step back to admire the process I had just put myself through.

I am thankful to anyone who gave me a much-needed hug, a pep talk in line, a squeeze when I started to cry and a huge smile when I ran into my new home... Alpha Phi. I can't begin to explain how rewarding it is to have had such an amazing and unforgettable experience. I cannot wait to share three and half years of my college experience with these girls.

To anyone doubting if recruitment is "for you," I urge you to give it a shot. There were many times during the past week that I felt overwhelmed and anxious, but these times were outweighed by the sisterhood I felt with each and every girl I interacted with this week. Though many of these girls and I didn't ultimately become "sisters," they are girls I know will be by my side for the years to come.

Recruitment is about so much more than what house you pledge; it is about the bond you make with those around you and feeling totally present and alive. So ditch the blonde, bronzed-beauty stereotypes and get the facts straight: It's about sisters, not spray tans.