Dear Sorority,

Thank you for being my home away from home. Going to school almost two hours away from your family can sometimes be rough. When I first went through recruitment and the already sisters would ask why I chose to do so, I would always respond with, “Well, I’m pretty close with my sister at home, and I’m really looking forward to having that bond with even more girls!” I know, super extremely cheesy, and kind of scripted sounding, but in the long run it was really true. I never thought I could be so close and comfortable with 40+ girls at a time.

Thank you for giving me the greatest support system, only second to my biological one. The girls I call sisters really are like family to me. They support me in every endeavor. They pick me up when I’m down. During my second year of college, I was down quite a lot. If it weren’t for some of my sorority sisters, I’m not sure that I would have ever gotten back up. I was put in situations that I would never in a million years wish upon my greatest enemy (I don’t even think I have one of those), and some of my sisters stuck by my side through it all. They were literally my shoulders to cry on during multiple occasions. I’m the type of person who likes to cry behind the privacy of my own bedroom door, by myself, under my comforter. But when I needed to be with someone, they knew. And they were there. I could never thank them enough. So thank you, sorority of mine, for providing me with such amazing people.

Thank you for giving me my sorority family. My Big. My Twin. My Little! I will never ever forget that feeling when I found out who my Big was. Not only did I receive my Big that day, I was also given such an amazing Twin. I know that I can go to either one of them with absolutely anything. Any time something good happens, they’re the ones I want to tell. Any time anything bad happens, they’re the ones I know without a doubt I can turn to. The only thing that could top having a Big is, of course, having a Little! Little, you will never fully understand how happy you made me when you picked me as your Big. We may not have a normal big/little relationship because, well, you’ll be graduating a year before me and I’m not really your mentor on campus because you’ve been there longer than me, but I would never change it! I love my sorority family more than I could ever express.

Thank you for giving me a cause to fight behind. Our sorority has five philanthropies, but the one closest to my heart is the Alzheimer’s Association. Because of my sorority, I have been given so many opportunities to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. I am involved in raising money and awareness for such an amazing association. I get to participate in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I get to volunteer with those who are directly affected by Alzheimer’s. I know that I could do all of these things without being the member of an organization that supports these types of causes, but it makes it so much better when you’re fighting for a cause with an entire community so similar to you. Not only do I get to support other philanthropies in Greek life, but I also get to think of my own ways to raise money and awareness for our philanthropy as my chapter’s Vice President of Philanthropic Service. It is truly an amazing feeling when you know that your small chapter has donated over $1,000 to your foundation in less than a semester’s time. Thank you, sorority, for making me feel like I am a part of something that matters.

Finally, thank you for empowering me and making me feel like I can accomplish all things that I set my mind to. It’s a great feeling to see so many women working together to build each other up rather than tearing each other down. Being a member of a Greek organization opens so many doors to those who are willing to simply knock on them. Through this organization I have learned to be accepting, loving and caring. I’ve learned to love myself, my sisters and those who are not affiliated. I have learned so much about life in general in my short two years of being a sister, and I can’t wait to be involved for the rest of my life.

Thank you, Sigma Kappa, for helping me find myself.

SLAM.