Growing up, I’ll be honest, I was the first to tell you that I didn’t have a lot of girl friends, and I was completely OK with it. As I got older and decided where I’d be going to college, everyone’s million dollar question was, “Are you going to join a sorority?” And my instantaneous answer was always “Umm… No, I don’t think so.” Well, they really do tell you to “never say never” for a reason.

I hardly understood the whole “sorority thing.” I never had a lot of girl friends to fall back on, and never fantasized about having an inseparable girl clique. I just didn’t get what it was all about. I never disrespected people’s choices to become involved in a sorority; I just didn’t think it was necessarily the choice for me. Then, I got up to school. It seemed like everyone, everywhere was going through rush, finding a sorority they fit in with, and having a great time with their peers involved in the Greek Community. Now, while I’m not usually one to just follow a crowd, after witnessing such positive experiences being made by my friends, I couldn’t ignore my curiosity. Now I was reevaluating everything. What was I missing out on? Caught up in the desperate need to know if it, indeed, was really all it’s made out to be, I decided that my sophomore year I would go through recruitment, and I am so glad I did!

You may be thinking that a sorority is never something you would choose to be a part of, or you may be like so many other girls eagerly looking forward to this process since you were a little girl. Either way, the recruitment process is something I strongly encourage anyone to go through if you haven’t. Going through recruitment is about so much more than just helping you find a sorority; it’s about helping you to find yourself through the encouragement and support of a community of people. People you wouldn’t have had the blessing of meeting if it weren’t for this opportunity, and people who will change an entire life experience for you. When I found my sorority, I actually found a part of myself I didn’t even know I was missing. I found hundreds of people to become a part of, and in turn, I found hundreds of people that would become part of me!

People like:

1. Sisters

Not just one, not two, but a slew of sisters! Sisters who create one big happy family. No I don’t mean the picture perfect "we all love each other all the time, everything’s peaches and creme" fake family. I mean the dysfunctional, argue all the time, completely crazy, but love you no matter what real family. My sorority has given me sisters who aremine, sisters who are all uniquely perfect in their own way, and I love each of them for it.

2. Role Models

Older sisters to teach us lessons so that we may grow up to be strong, successful, confident, independent women like them. Women who lead by the example our sisters set before us and their sisters before them; a dynasty to hold to the highest of standards, because throughout history, its strength has remained.

I’ve Found:

3. A Friendly Face Around Every Corner

From a familiar face when I walk into the classroom on the first day to someone to sit with in the dining hall, no matter what, on campus I never feel alone.

4. Faces To Add To My Photos

Whether it be the silly selfies we take on Snapchat or the pictures we take that will end up on the pages of our future scrapbooks, the faces I have added to photos from crazy nights, bid days, lunch dates, initiation, everything during, in between, and soon after college will always be there to share memories with.

5. A Good Influence

I have been given an angel, someone to aspire to be like, a kind soul who floats above my shoulder, showing me all of the good that I, too, can be capable of.

6. And A Bad Influence

I have also been given a devil, a spunky little voice who sits upon my shoulder twirling its tail, reminding me to try new things because it's OK to let loose, unwind and have a little fun.

7. My Partner In Crime

I have met my “cell mate” who will always be there to do everything, good or bad, with me.

8. As Well As My “One Phone Call”

And I have been given my protector who will always be there to help bail us out.

Now I Have:

9. A Snuggle Buddy To Stay In With On Lazy Days

10. And Babes To Take On The Town!

11. A Loud Chorus To Sing Off Key With With

Everywhere we go, we are loud and we are proud.

12. And Partners To Dance With Around The House or Down The Street

And no matter where we are, we’ve got the hottest moves around.

13. For The First Time I Have A Big Sister to Take Care Of Me

14. And A Little To Take Care Of

15. Pals Who Will Accompany Me On Random Adventures

Day or night (and by night, I mean 3 a.m.), I’ve always got my favorite shotgun rider’s happily by my side..

16. A Person Who Not Only Understands My Crazy, But Is Right Up There With Me

17. And People Who Will Always Have My Back

An organization full of girls is not without its drama. Situations may get complicated at times. We may argue sometimes about silly things, and we may not always like each other, but we always love each other. Regardless of what the current circumstances may be, we are still there to defend each other no matter what. At the end of the day, we are sisters first and sisters forever, and we are always there to remind each other of that.

18. I Have Someone To Help Me When The Going Gets Tough

On Sunday mornings when I want to stay in bed and complain about all of the things going wrong, or all of the crap I have to do, I have someone there to pick me up.

19. And Someone To Encourage Me When The Tough Get Going

And on Friday nights, after we’ve conquered the long stressful week together, she’s still by my side cheering me on!

My Sorority Has Given Me:

20. A True Soulmate

I found my person. I don’t care what anyone says; your “person” is not a guy, and you will never truly understand the concept of having a “person” until you finally do. My person is my crazy, charismatic, lovable, sarcastic but sweet, positively insane sister! And not only has my sorority given me my person, my sorority has given me my people. My people are loud, rambunctious, bold, blunt, confident, caring, ambitious, loving and overall one of a kind, incredible people! My people are my sisters, and my sisters are my true soul mates.

I am extremely thankful that I was able to step out of my comfort zone to go through this process because I stepped into something so much greater. Now I can say I do have a ton of girl friends to fall back on. I have finally found my inseparable girl clique! I stepped out of my box and into a household of people, of sisters, I never knew I needed and would never dream of giving back!