When I entered the rush world, I never would have thought I would be a Tri Delta. I mean, yeah, I did my homework and knew that it was one of the top houses on my list, but I never thought I would become one. Bid Day came and my Gamma Chi opened my bid card and revealed to me that I got Tri Delta. Next thing I knew I was in tears, not out of sadness, but out of happiness. I noticed that everyone around me stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on me. Even the woman taking pictures came running down the hallway to have a photo shoot of my waterworks. I had no intention on making such a scene, but you have to realize I was waiting on this day for two years. I found myself hugging my best friend who ended up going Tri Delt with me, and quickly realized I was about to be a part of something really cool. Next thing I knew I was running through the doors of my future home away from home.

As I became a new member, I began to realize how special this place really was and how much it meant to me. From receiving a Big, which gave me a whole new family, to finding my best friends for a lifetime, it only reinforced I made the best decision. I couldn't get enough of it, and I had just started. I jumped right in and wanted to be a part of it every second. The enormous amounts of "throw whatcha know" pictures and being in your letters all the time was just the "total freshman move." I didn't care, because I was overcome with so much happiness.

Being a member of Tri Delta for only a year has taught me so much about other people, and more importantly, about myself. First off, this amazing sorority's philanthropy attached to my heart as soon as I heard about it on Philanthropy Day during rush. You mean to tell me that I am a part of something that gives so much to help children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Eventually I would love to visit St. Jude, but to hear that I helped contribute so they could build a wing of the hospital and name it "Tri Delta Place" warms my heart. To be able to witness all of the hard work and its benefits for children with cancer is what it truly means to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. When I was in the Tri Delta house on Philanthropy Day I could only connect it with my own personal experience.

The unimaginable friendships, fellowship, date parties, socials and everything else in between has made my first year unforgettable. Thank you to all the people who worked so hard in the past to make Tri Delta what it is today. To everyone that is still currently active, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and teaching me things about myself that have helped me many times. I only hope I can live each day through what Tri Delta stands for. I pray that I'm always reminded to steadfastly love one another with each person I approach and remember how I learned to do so. I'm so excited for the next three years with my sisters and to make plenty more memories. Oh, and one last thing, Tri Delta, thank you for giving me the best home away from home.