Since accepting my bid to Sigma Delta Tau in the spring of my freshman year, my life has been a whirlwind of mixers, late-night heart-to-hearts, and simple, regular, everyday occurrences with some of the most amazing and inspiring young women I have ever met. But for a while, I was self-conscious about calling them my “sisters” in front of my mom. They were “my friends from my sorority” or “the girls from school”, but never my sisters. It was almost as if I was afraid to use a term so frequently saved for family to describe my incredible friends. Family has always been the most constant thing in my life. My mom’s side of the family all live in my hometown, with only mere walking distance separating us. My cousins have been raised to be more like siblings, and it’s not unusual for my grandmother and grandfather to make an unannounced visit for each day. I am a part of my family, and my family is a part of me. But after being at college for a full year, I realized that the women of Sigma Delta Tau are in fact my sisters. I realized that family is not a term limited to those biologically similar to you, but a term that labels those who love you, not matter how similar or different they are.
Through sacrifices and tears, through elation and laughter, we have discovered what it truly means to be a family. We have all started on different paths of life, but they have converged at such a defining point. Although some may never cross again, I know that walking alongside these girls has made my journey a little more bearable. To me, a family supports its members. They build each other up, and see the best in you. They push you to be all that you can be, and act as your safety net when you’re afraid of failing. Family listens to you when you cry, and gently reminds you that you will smile again. They capture your moments of laughter, and use your shared experiences to shape your soul.
Surrounding oneself with smart people who view the world differently than you can be your greatest asset in life. My sisters come from unique backgrounds, different cultures and styles of family. I have learned more about myself, and the world around me, just by listening to my sisters. I have intriguing and thoughtful conversations with sisters who are passionate about topics I didn’t even know existed. Everyone knows that college is for learning, but what is truly incredible is our opportunity to open ourselves up to new experiences, at the hands of our sisters.
Family is aware of what often seems to go unnoticed. A stressful afternoon can be made better with a Netflix and pizza date, hard work can be appreciated with a simple note that reads “You’re doing a good job”. Family makes themselves available to you, even if you don’t call for help, just because they care. They notice details, and understand how they fit into the larger picture of your life.
Families have to work together for their success. I make sacrifices for my sisters because I know I will inevitably need their compassion in the future. My sister’s pain is my pain, but I willingly lighten her burden, because she will do the same for me one day. Victories are greatened and defeats lessened because we face them together. The girls in my sorority live in the same dorm as me, with only mere walking distance separating us. My friends have grown to be my sisters, and it’s not unusual for them to make an unannounced visit each day. I am a part of Sigma Delta Tau, and Sigma Delta Tau is a part of me. We somehow form a family, an accumulation of love manifested into silly Snapchats and time spent in Starbucks laughing together. We make it work every day, and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.
