You’ve read a dozen articles about how our bigs are so awesome, and it’s true, they are amazing. They are our mentors, our best friends, and our sisters. But, dare I say "but," it goes far beyond just being a friend and mentor. It’s being all of those things and being a mother, or a shrink, or an unbiased third-party in a sticky situation, or being that single person that was there for you when you were alone. I can say without a doubt that I am blessed and so lucky to have my big. I couldn’t imagine my life or college experience without her; she is my person.

If you know me then you know that I never really saw myself as being a sorority girl. If you had told high school me that years later I would be in a sorority, I probably would have laughed at you. But as my college years approached, I became more and more open minded to the idea of recruitment. With my mind decided that as soon as I went to a university, I would go through recruitment in the fall, the single aspect that I was most excited for was getting a big. The bond that a big and little share is something special. They are the person you tell your secrets to and they protect you as their own. They look out for you as they would a little sister, and they love you at your worst. That’s what I always imagined my relationship with my big to be like -- and it is, plus so much more. I wish that everyone could have a bond like the one my big and I share, but sadly that’s not always the case. Nothing breaks my heart like a big and little that can’t stand each other. When a big turns her back on her little for someone else, or when a big and little are constantly fighting, or when a little blatantly disrespects her big, I take a moment and think about how lucky I am to have my big by my side.

1. Just when I think that absolutely everything in my life is falling apart, big is there to wipe away my tears and hug me until I’m done crying.
2. She understands that my stomach is a black hole and even when I eat Whataburger at 2 p.m. she knows I’ll be hungry again by 4 p.m.
3. She has seen me at my absolute worst, whether I’ve had too much to drink or fuming mad because ya know... people, she loves and accepts me anyways.
4. She’s the life of the party and I’m not about that bar life. We balance each other out. It just works.
5. When I’m sick she lets me cuddle in her bed with her kitty and watch Netflix all day.
6. Also when I’m sick she periodically checks on me and brings me home food from work. Because I’m little and she’s worried about me.
7. She knows what I’m thinking just from a single look I give her.
8. She takes it upon herself to protect me from slapd*ck guys and she does a hell of a job at it.
9. Whether it’s 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning, if I need her she will be there no questions asked.
10. She pushes me to be the best version of myself possible and when I need an asskicking, she’s the first person in line to give it to me.

She’s got style and she’s got grace, she’s my big and I couldn’t be more proud. I know that I will have friends that will stay in my life and I will have some that will go. But there is not a doubt in my mind that the friendship my big and I have will be one that lasts forever. She will be there for my wedding, the birth of my first child, and for all of the other big moments in my life. Because big and little aren’t just for the four years of college -- it’s for life. Sorry big, you’re stuck with me.