Mary,

Ever since I was little, I always wanted a big sister. Someone to admire, to idolize, and to better myself with. Although it may have taken a good 19 years, I finally got the big sister I’ve always wanted my freshman year of college.

As I’m sitting here writing this speech, I can’t help but reminisce about our first few memories together as Big and Little, and it’s bittersweet. Seeing our friendship blossom over these past few months has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I’m trying my best to not make this sound like a love letter, but I just can’t help telling you how much you have impacted my life from the first day I met you.

Even though my time with you in chapter has been short, my friendship with you is forever. From October 15, 2017, to now, you have taught me so much.

You taught me how to be the bigger person even when it’s really hard to do so, how to love without expecting anything in return, how to truly be gracious and respectful, that it’s not the end of the world when I mess up, and you taught me that there is such a thing as unconditional love when you found a way to love me in the condition I was in. You taught me everything, I already thought I knew.

I also want to thank you.

Thank you for taking me under your wing since day one. You helped me understand how meetings run, showed me how to live our values, always answered my texts when I was wondering if Sunday was badge or letter attire, and showed me how to be a well rounded panhellenic woman. The sorority woman I am today is because of you.

I want to thank you for always listening to me complain. Even if it is something totally stupid, you always give me the best advice and you’re always upfront with me. You keep me grounded and I appreciate you for that.

And lastly, I want to thank you for our food dates (Which is mostly to Maize and Taco Bell), I’m grateful that you have an appreciation for tacos just as much as I do. I’m also grateful you agree that tacos should be celebrated every day of the week, not just on Tuesdays.

Next, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. Despite all the hardships, you persisted. You endured and you never quit. You persevered and you always kept going. You never gave up on anything. You always stayed on course and prevailed. I am so proud of the woman you are.

Life may give us lemons, but rarely does it ever give us lemonade. So we’re forced to make our own. And you made some pretty dang good lemonade with the lemons life has given you.

As graduation is quickly approaching, I want to leave you with some things. Ever since I was little, I always kept tabs on my favorite life advice that I’ve received over the years and I thought I should share some of my favorite ones with you:

Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you.

Only pack what you can carry yourself.

Remember that you’ll always regret what you didn’t do rather than what you did.

If the grass is greener on the other side, there’s probably more manure there.

Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.

Happiness is a choice and everything else is a matter of perspective.

Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it’s inspiring.

And lastly, always go where the love is.

I’ve always been told that having long friendships with someone is very heartwarming and comforting. So I hope when we’re both old and senile, that we can meet up for morning coffee at Jack Pine and reminisce about our days in chapter together.

I love you, Big. You are my mentor, role model, protector, and best friend. You are loyal, faithful, compassionate, genuine, goofy, empathetic, loving–--the list is endless. No one can ever or will ever replace you. As you go your own way, remember I am your biggest supporter and your number one fan.

I hope you know that you’re capable, brave, and significant. Always. Even when it feels like you’re not.

I will ALWAYS be here for you through anything and everything life throws at us. We are in this together.

Forever: Big and Little.