PCB, OBX, the DR. These are the typical letters used when talking about spring break. However, my spring break would best be described by ΦΜ and DZ, because I spent spring break in the Outer Banks with six sorority women. No one man should have all that power.*
When the idea was hatched to rent out a beach house in the Outer Banks, I was instantly hooked. I had yet to travel anywhere on spring break and with it being my senior year, I was just about out of breaks and springs if real life is anything like I've been told. The house was available, the price was great and a week vacation with my girlfriend sounded wonderful to me.
I quickly learned, however, that five of her friends were also going, all of who are without boyfriends. I was quite literally headed to no man's land.
Naturally, I had some minor reservations about being the only guy. I grew up with two brothers so I was in new territory. However, I have many close female friends and I do believe females have a naturally higher intelligence than most men my age, so I wasn't too worried about it. I also knew almost everyone else going so I figured it would be easy to find common ground and topics to converse about.
I will admit I assumed my role was secretly going to be that of the photographer for the trip (not totally wrong there). Not being a fraternity member, the only connections to Greek life I have are my girlfriend, some friends and two functions attended to my name. Getting to live in what I jokingly called a sorority house for a week gave me new insight into sorority life and really highlighted a few things for me.
First of all, it was cool and interesting to see how being in a sorority connected the girls together. Sure most were in the same chapter, but each girl was an individual with a different major, goals and passions. Yet, they could all relate to each other and understood each other on a deeper level. Even if one was slightly irked by another, she would still help the other if asked. I was starting to understand the whole sisterhood bond now.
I also learned that they all had matching t-shirts, spirit jerseys (baggy t-shirts) and long sleeve shirts. Even if they weren't in the same sorority, they had matching color tones (usually a hue of pink or green). These shirts weren't just for comfort, but they also served in capturing the perfect photo on the beach.
The learning went both ways. I was asked several times, “why are boys dumb?" Sensing danger and venting, I would shrug and say, “I was born this way" (sorry, dudes). I would also just generally agree guys are the worst and apologize on the gender's general behalf (you're welcome, dudes). And naturally with a few rounds of “never have I ever," we all learned way too much and avoided eye contact for brief moments.
Joking aside, we discussed politics, religion and life with one another. Sure, I sometimes heard things I couldn't un-hear, but it was great getting to know the individuals that made up the sorority as a whole.
At the end of it all we laughed and no one cried, so I would say it was a successful trip. I was given great advice on proper tanning techniques, what color I should dye my hair if I were to, and that being in a sorority has some really positive impacts on people's lives. The women didn't break me, but I'm sure they could have if they wanted to. I may never be Greek, but living with those six sorority women helped this non-Greek shake some myths.*I had no power.
