I wish I could make this into a spin off of the children's book "To Give A Mouse A Cookie" but sorry, I'm not that talented of an author. Instead, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate every moment I've gotten to spend with my home away from home, AKA, my sorority. Not another overdramatic lovey-dovey post, you might think. No. This is a "thank you" to my many sisters, from a gal who never had one growing up.

I'll be honest, joining a house, to be introduced to 100+ girls I had never seen before, was a little intimidating. I grew up at home with a brother. Big brother who was and is my biggest protector. I pretty much was raised under the wing of him and his friends, who happened to be my friends too. Some would say in middle and high school I was "one of the boys." The whole "sister" thing was new to me, because I never had one growing up. Was I supposed to do girly things every day? Was I supposed to wear my letters and hang out with my sisters 24/7? Absolutely not, because my house accepted me for myself. That is a value I treasure so much.

I remember my mom being so excited when I told her I was going to rush when I started college. Her first words were "you're going to have so many new sisters!" Whaaaaat. Even my mother saw the goodness and wholeness of having a support system as genuine as these girls are. Since I joined my house in August, I have never questioned the fact that each of these girls, sisters, would do anything for me in a heartbeat. That was the support I needed coming out of high school, not being able to rely on my parents or brother.

I used to not have a sister to call to do my makeup or hair for a formal. Or to attend a random concert with, and stay after to meet the lead guitarist because I was fan-girling so hard. Or to walk with me on campus when it's dark because my dad says to never walk alone at night. Or to go eat way too much food, watch a movie, study for an impossible test, or motivate me to workout when all I want to do is sleep. Or any of the stupid decisions in between, at least we go down together. Those are just a few of the things I missed out on growing up without a sister, but can enjoy all the time now.

I guess this is a thanks, to my home away from home. And the only reason college doesn't seem so scary to me is because I get to see my sisters, my family, every day.