There may only be a few reasons why I went Greek, but there are a million reasons why I stayed.
Entering my freshman year of college, I packed up my bags and moved across the country to a new place without a single familiar face. My mom had just left for the airport and the sudden realization that this was my new home for the next four years hit me. As a way to find a sense of belonging in a sea of college students, I decided to go through formal recruitment. No one in my family had ever gone Greek and I had little knowledge as to what a sorority actually was and did.
The night before the first day of recruitment, I nervously picked out an outfit that would hopefully impress these older sorority girls. As I stood in line to enter the house, my heart sank into my stomach and the chanting from behind the doors grew louder and louder. For a minute I thought to myself, "what did I get myself into?" until I stepped inside and a smiley, beautiful, put-together girl led the way to where we talked about my hometown, major and new roommate. At first, I didn't understand how I was supposed to find "sisters" with girls I had talked to for about five minutes each round. After the long and exhausting process came to an end, I knew I had found my home away from home on Bid Day.
In just few short weeks I met some of the most incredible women I will ever meet. When I missed my family, my sisters were there. When I wanted to attend a Fraternity party, my sisters were there. When I cried myself to sleep, my sisters were there.
My sisters believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself and for that I am forever grateful. They pointed out when I was wrong and supported me when I was right. There were times the last thing I wanted to be doing was attend Monday night chapter, but it was worth it.
When I decided to transfer schools, my sisters made it hard to say "see you later" because goodbye was not a word I was willing to say. Thinking that my sorority days were over, my sorority welcomed me with open arms at my new school. Afraid that I would no longer be close with my original chapter, my friends visited every chance they had.
If I've learned anything it's that it doesn't matter if you're "top" house, "middle" or "bottom" because honestly, I'm not sure what that even means. Alpha Chi Omega is my home, my family and friends for life. My sorority is not the letters I wear on my chest, the parties we attend, the pictures we post, or the rumors people spread. My sorority is the times I've laughed so hard I cried, talked on the phone for hours, ate an entire cake at midnight, and the shoulder to cry on no matter the hour.
And let's face it, I cry very easily. If only you were so lucky to know what that is like.
