I get asked on a regular basis why I "pay for friends," or why I spend all my time planning for sorority events. The truth is that if you aren't greek you just don't understand. There's no way for me to explain to you why my sisters mean so much to me, or why my dues seem like such a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
I'm not always friends with every sister in my chapter every day. Sometimes I get so frustrated with some sisters that I don't even like them anymore, but that doesn't change the fact that I love each and every one of them. My sisters are angels, cheerleaders, and sometimes nurses. They are my fashion designers, makeup gurus, proofreaders, stand up comedians, and best friends.
The following 10 Commandments of Sorority Life might seem silly, but every sorority girl knows these few things suddenly become true once they join:
1. Thou shall always remain in thine letters.
It doesn't matter if it's raised letters, screenprint, or your classy lavalier. You are always in your letters 24/7. You are always the face of your chapter of your sorority. What you say, what you do affects the image of it that you project. Make sure that you are projecting a good one.
2. Thou shall always love thine Little, Big, and whole family.
No matter what comes to pass, you love your sorority family. It doesn't matter if you're together or apart. You love them forever.
3. Thou shall forever defend thine sisters and sorority.
You will forever be sisters and everyone needs help sometimes. If anyone ever dares to hurt one of us, they hurt all of us and we will not stand to see another sister in pain.
4. If any sister asks thou for a hair tie (even if it's your last one), thou shall always give it up for a sister in need.
It's common courtesy. And mandatory.
5. Thou must always ask thine sisters to help plan all outfits.
Seriously. Your housemates know more about your panties than your boyfriend. Also, if they didn't help you buy them in the first place then why are you even wearing them?
6. Thou shall always have a white dress (or four) for all necessary functions.
You start off buying 1 and then one day you open your closet and eight more are taking up all of the space! Where did they come from?!
7. Thou must always go to the bathroom with thine sister.
No sister goes alone under any circumstances.
8. Thou must always craft under any circumstances.
Also, having extra paint, brushes, glitter, canvases, and ribbon is an absolute must. You never know when a stress crafting obsession will rear its head, or a big/little crafting emergency will arise.
9. Thou must always support those fraternity men.
No matter the letters, we're all greek together.
10. Thou shall always work to make the sorority the best it can be.
Be it through taking officer positions, or just by always keeping a smile on your pretty little face, the sorority cannot function without your support. Keep your eyes bright, lips lined, cheeks rouged, and your grades up. We all rely on each other.
Going greek was the best decision I have made since attending college. It's really true that keeping your sisters by your side can help keep you up during the tough times and cheering during the good times. I wish I could tell the girls who opt to stay unaffiliated that they aren't missing out on anything, but that would be a huge lie. Sorority life is an amazing experience that every girl deserves to experience.
