I remember the first time I ever saw Madi in person. Her beautiful, big, brown, hair was bouncy and shiny as she came through the Tri Delta doors. She had the most bright and sincere smile on her face and it warmed my heart to see how genuinely happy and excited she was to be going through recruitment.

Our entire chapter had gushed over her picture and all of her amazing accomplishments the week prior to formal recruitment. Much like the rest of our Panhellenic community, I'm sure, we all couldn't wait to see and get to know her. After recruitment, Madi chose Pi Beta Phi and found her home away from home with her wonderful sisters.

During that week of formal recruitment, my sister fell in love with her and could not stop talking about her throughout the entire week. "She is the sweetest. I'm so obsessed. I want her to go Tri Delt so bad so she can be my little." I don't know how many times I heard that come out of my sister's mouth. But my sister wasn't the only person who felt that way, everyone seemed to feel the same way, too.

Madi had this effect on every person she met. Her personality was infectious. You couldn't help but smile and be happy while you were around her because that's how she was all the time. I can't, honestly, remember a time when I ever ran into Madi somewhere and she wasn't laughing or she didn't have that sweet smile on her face.

Her personality was like a 24/7 dose of loving and energetic positivity that everyone around her couldn't get enough of.

The last time I saw Madi wasn't any different. I ran into her at a Texas Tech baseball game and when I saw her she gave me the biggest smile and wave. It was so crowded that I didn't want to weave through the bleachers full of people to give her a hug and chat. Now, I'm left thinking that that was such a silly thing to worry about and really wish that I wouldn't have cared about obstructing the views of other people for only a moment so I could have given her a big hug, one last time.

Ever since I received the news, it has been the scene that has stayed on constant repeat, over and over again in my head. That's how I will always remember Madi, with that big, sweet, smile as she waved "Hi" to me and my sister.

So, Madi Lockaby,

Thank you. Thank you so much for your sweet soul and sincerity. Thank you for always being yourself and never being worried about what others thought.

Thank you so much for always brightening my day with a smile when I saw you. Thank you for filling the lives of some of my closest friends with your beautiful soul and overwhelming love.

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me, your best friends, your Pi Beta Phi sisters and everyone you met.

Thank you for the wonderful example of life and love that you set for every woman on this campus.

And finally, thank you for forever being a reminder to always love as big as we can love and to always have a smile on our face for everyone that we meet.

You left an impression on this campus that will last a lifetime. Thank you.

And from your Texas Gamma sisters,

"Thank you Madi for showing us what it means to truly uphold the values of Pi Beta Phi. Because of you, we know what it means to uphold the value of sincere friendship. Because of the way you valued each and every relationship you have, the way that you care so deeply, and the way that you selflessly devote yourself to the needs your sisters, we know how to be truer friends. You will be deeply missed but know that you were loved and that you will forever be our angel."

A campus wide memorial service will be held for Madison this Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Circle.