A sorority provides you with many things — fun events, opportunities to volunteer, help with classes and new "sisters." All of this was what I expected and what I received when I joined my chapter freshman year. Fast forward two years, and I found myself beginning my second round of recruitment but this round was different because my little sister would be rushing. After experiencing college without her for two years, I was more than ready for her to join me. And while I hoped she would decide to join the same Greek organization as I did, I would've been content with her making her own choice. We are just as different as we are similar, and I knew our relationship wouldn’t have been affected by our Greek letters.

Being only two years apart in age, and having only each other to play dolls or Barbies with, the two of us have always been pretty close. We grew up side by side and experienced every family high point (like moving to a new house) and low point (like that one time we lost Joey for a week) together. It was a continuous inside joke that she tagged along in whatever I was doing, regardless of who it was with. Even before college, my friends became her friends, and she accompanied pretty much everywhere I went. It was weird being apart for those first two years of college when we had been living together all our lives.

Well, much to my delight, she did decide to join me in Chi Omega and, as expected, I was overly ecstatic to show her why Chi O meant so much to me. What I didn’t expect was how being in the same sorority would change our relationship and make us even closer. Eating lunch together at the Chi O house became an almost daily occurrence after running the lakes and catching up on life events. My apartment became her escape from the dorm life, and her meal plan became my excuse to not go to the grocery store. Her initiation into Chi Omega became a much more meaningful experience for me because I could now share all the "secrets" of the sisterhood, and she could experience more of what Chi O had to offer.

I know that it was comforting to her to have her older sister there to show her the way and help her understand the confusing aspects of being in a sorority. But I hope she realizes how beneficial she was to me. Having a piece of home just a few miles away was more comforting than I could ever imagine. I could unapologetically cry, even for no reason, and she understood without asking questions. If I didn’t want to be alone, she provided company, even if we just laid in my bed watching old Disney movies. Even better was when she would take my clicker to class so I could sleep in (which I repaid by washing all her clothes).

I think my parents were even more excited than we were, though. Sharing a sorority meant that we could all be together for Chi O Family Night, formal, mother's luncheon and dad/daughter day. Both my parents loved the fact that, when asked who their daughter was in the sorority, they got to give two names. Not only did my relationship with my sister benefit, but the four of us in my family grew even closer if that was even possible.

Chi Omega has provided me with countless friends and amazing experiences, but I think that the way it has shaped the relationship between me and my sister is what I find most special. I'm so glad I got to share her freshman year with her, and I'm thankful for all the early morning coffee she provided.