I found my home in the Epsilon Theta chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma in the fall of 2014. Since then, I have found approximately a billion reasons to love my sisterhood, and narrowing it down to merely 13 seemed nearly impossible; however, some of those reasons can only be appropriately explained in one way: using GIFs.

1. Purchasing all of the purple/sailboat/skull things.

2. You get to meet people with values that reflect yours.

3. When you need a shoulder to cry on, you have at least forty to choose from.

4. When dorm life gets to be too much to bear, you have a home away from home.

5. You always have your wise Sigma elders (read: seniors) to lean on for advice in times of crisis.

6. You find yourself sitting around, laughing with your sisters into the wee hours of the morning on a weekly basis (even if you have a test the next morning).

7. Those same sisters will help you cram in a last-minute study session as you chug your coffee an hour before the aforementioned test.

8. You are accepted for who you are, no matter what.

9. Everyone fully acknowledges the healing powers of glitter.

10. You get to learn from your big sister what it means to embody Sigma Sigma Sigma's values

One day, you may get to pass on the same lessons to your little. The responsibility is a big one, but the payout is worth it.

11. You learn the true meaning of "Blood [of the covenant] is thicker than water [of the womb]."

Even when you go home to your family for the summer, part of you wishes you could stay and spend time with the family you chose on Bid Day.

12. You get the honor of having sisters, who are ready to cheer on your goals, celebrate your accomplishments, and encourage you when you fail.

13. You get the comfort of knowing that, even when everything seems to be going wrong and you feel entirely alone, your sisters will always be there.