It's 2012 and I'm a shy little freshman trying not to trip while walking from party to party during recruitment weekend. I see girls like me, even some shyer than me. I see some over zealous girls who are kind of annoying, but I'm envious of their excitement. "How the heck are they so into this?!" I thought to myself every time I saw a girl squealing with excitement or talking about how she was up all night trying to decide what sorority she wanted to call home.
I personally did not even want to rush. My roommate's mom made her, thus, my roommate made me so she wouldn't be alone. Don't get me wrong I didn't hate the process. I was just indifferent. I've never been the girly girl. I love sports, rap music, and rock and roll. I couldn't handle girls who only wear Kendra Scotts and who make their sorority their life. Or so I thought.
If you know anything about sorority recruitment, you know that when all of the girls get their bids, they run to their "letters," usually big lawn letters of their sorority, or the sorority house they got their bid from. Typically this event consists of screaming, crying girls who are ecstatic for the next four years of college, and the handful of girls who feel super uncomfortable partaking in this event (me).
I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes further back than when I saw all of this running and screaming go down. I was terrified to think about how this was not only a four-year commitment, but also a lifetime one. I went home crying, not tears of joy, but of regret. Joining a sorority is a huge thing, not just another club on campus that I could quit if I didn't like it. I had three days to get to know these girls during recruitment, which is not enough time to really get to know someone. With that being said, when I met my now big on the second day of recruitment, I felt a little less scared. I knew these young women could help me get through the next scary four years of college, and maybe even had the potential of being my sisters for life, even though I was still doubtful. How could all of these girls be so sure this was the right decision and already love each other so much?! The whole thing seemed absurd and silly, and I was scared to death.
Before you start thinking that I am a bitter, horrible sister, listen to what happened the very next day after bid day. Some of the older members of my sorority told us that they sit together at lunch in the Student Union, and encouraged us to join them. Being my pessimistic and scared, freshman self, I reluctantly went to check it out in my thrift store, Wiz Khalifa cut off and my beat up pair of chucks. I knew I didn't fit in with the girls who days before were singing at me in their perfect little door stack with their perfect hair and makeup. And I thought for sure they wouldn't remember my name out of all the girls who rushed! I honestly thought I was put in on a fluke. But when I walked up to the Union, my whole perspective changed.
I could barely walk in the door without one of the seniors (who I had previously deemed Queen B during recruitment just by seeing how flawless she was) excitedly greeting me with, "Chloe, we're so glad you came to the lunch table!" And it wasn't an annoying scream like I described to you before. It was genuine, heartfelt, and I couldn't believe she remembered me, much less wanted me to sit with them! Dozens of sisters sat around me, giving me hugs, and wanted to get to know me more. I could barely eat my lunch because I was being showered with so much attention! This was also the case for the other members of my pledge class who came. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Maybe this is what sisterhood was really about- Friends who truly love you and want the absolute best for you.
As the months went on, I got my perfect big who lead me through the whole new member process, got close to my pledge class, and was even organizing pledge class outings to concerts and restaurants. And best of all, my once close-minded self realized that half of the girls in my sorority were just like me! A little rough around the edges, but caring and compassionate on the inside. One of the seniors even asked me to go to a Wiz concert because of my aforementioned tank! But the next thing I learned throughout the years of being in my sorority was perhaps the most important lesson of them all.
It didn't matter that some of the girls loved wearing Kendra Scott earrings and were a tad more "girly" than me. It didn't matter that I wasn't exactly like everyone else. In fact, that's what makes our sisterhood so beautiful. Every one of my sisters is a genuine, kind-hearted woman, who, yes, makes mistakes; but also knows how to learn from it and carry forward with an optimistic attitude. Does anyone else have a friend who takes you to the diner at 2:00am and buys you all the cheese fries you want because you got in a fight with your boyfriend? I do. Her name is Ashley and she will be one of my best friends forever. Does anyone have a friend who picks you up from the gym 30 minutes away because your car won't start? I do, and her name is Lesly, and she's the most talented, selfless person I know. Without my sorority, I wouldn't have met my perfect Littles, who have supported me in everything I do. I wouldn't have the memory of playing hide and seek in Stoddard Hall, getting hit on by old men while volunteering at the nursing home, or going to sisterhood retreats where we stayed up for hours dancing and trying to flip solo cups to where they would land perfectly on our butts.
As my journey as an undergrad and active member is coming to an end, I look back on all the times I've had with my sisters. Bonds have been made with people I would never have talked to in the first place, and I have made friends that will last forever. When the older members said that they found their bridesmaids after joining, I didn't think that would be me. But now I can't imagine my big day (in the far future...don't freak out, dad) without my sisters right beside me.
I thank you, my freshmen roommate who made me rush. I thank you, AOII for changing my life. And I thank you,
I love you all more than you will ever know.
