“Gym, eat, repeat then some tv” is what comes to my mind during these past two weeks of winter break. I walk to the fridge to grab an ice-cold water and a carton of eggs with sweat running down my lower back. As I press the fan button on the microwave above my head, I look to the left of me to see a fresh pot of dark roast sitting in the pot, begging for my tired hand. I grab my daily used grey coffee cup, pour a fresh cup, and sit down with my egg in front of the tv.

Once I’m done, I walk to the bathroom for a shower and for a short moment I stare at myself in the mirror from top to bottom. I twist and turn and for the first time I’m liking what I see. Not just my body, but my attitude towards my own morning mess of a reflection. I think about how far I’ve come. I think about my sisters. Yes, I’m talking about over 100’s of sisters. My sorority sisters. In my 19 years, I have never felt as confident as the way I do now and never in my life would I have thought it would’ve all been thanks to a sorority.

I think about every morning in the house, walking downstairs to the kitchen and brewing a fresh cup of coffee. I walk over to the table where we write down on a slip our meals of the day and hand mine to the chef, wishing her a good morning. I walk out of the cooking area, sitting down at the big rectangular table that barely fits 20 of us in the house, always waking up to a familiar face. Oh, how good it feels to wake up to a familiar face. Someone you can tell your problems to, talk to about your day every day, exams, homework, even those nights going out or staying in and just need some friendly company. A gym buddy right down the hallway who's always willing to fit in a spin class or to go grab coffee with.

Being home, I think about my sisters every day. I think about my roommate and how I always have someone I tell my day to before falling asleep in the same room. The funny part is, my roommate was someone I used to dislike because of a stupid boy. Now she’s the person I tell everything to, someone I ask advice from, and someone I’ve learned to respect. Being in a sorority, they’ve taught me to put all the stupid boy stuff aside. They’ve taught me to forgive and forget. They taught me how to be a bigger person and how to grow. I would’ve missed out on an amazing person and roommate if I kept my crappy attitude towards someone I didn’t know. My sisters taught me to never let a guy be the do or die of your “boss a** b****” attitude.

They taught me that it’s not all about looks or what people think, but that I am just as beautiful as any other girl and not to think different. That I am always worth it, no matter my own negative thoughts. That grades and classiness comes first and partying and living it up comes second.

Being home without my sisters, I look at myself in this mirror and tell myself everything they’ve taught me. The love that’s in my heart for these girls who I probably never would’ve known, I now call my sisters. The girls I want to sit on a couch with a veg out with a pint of ice cream while watching the VS fashion show after a long day at work. The girls I will one day invite to my wedding. These girls who I call my sisters are what made me and who are still helping me grow.

This break has been rough without my sisters, especially my little, my big, and my roommate who are always there when I need a good laugh or someone to lean on. However, it excites me that in a few weeks I will be back in the house with my second family. When I’m with my sisters I feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself, but if there is one thing my sisters have taught me, it’s that I’m never alone.

XOXO

A Sorority Girl