Dear Delta Zeta,
Thank you for the best chapter of my life.
As I finally approach my last few weeks of college, a lot of feelings have been weighing heavy on my heart. Am I doing the right thing? Am I going to make it in the real world? Will I find a nice guy after college? Did I do enough in college? All of these feelings are completely normal, so I’ve heard, and I have only one problem about graduating college. I am not ready to say goodbye to the best chapter of my life.
I am not ready to say goodbye to the hundreds of women who have loved me for who I am. I am not ready to say goodbye to my “Bam Fam” when I walk across that stage. I don’t want to take that next step on my own without my friends behind me. I am just not ready. However, I am finally ready to admit some things that Delta Zeta has done for me.
Dear Delta Zeta, how I love thee. Thank you for accepting me in 2013 when I was nothing but a transfer student with nowhere to go. Thank you for teaching me the values and lessons every young woman should idolize. Thank you for showing me that by taking a risk, you are essentially creating an opportunity. The day of initiation, I accepted the challenge of a life time. No one said sorority life was easy, nor did anyone say it was hard. For many people, being on the outside they are quick to judge and exchange words in the process. However, for those who are in a sisterhood the exchange of words are impossible. I mean where do you start?
For three years, I have cried, laughed and exchanged thoughts with some of the most inspiring people I have met thus far. For three years, I felt that God has blessed me with a never-ending fairytale where love, laughter and friendship were all that you needed. Yeah, it was hard at some points, but I am not ready to say goodbye.
The funny thing about faith is that when you pray hard enough, God will bless you with an opportunity. It is what you take from that opportunity that strengthens you for the next one to come. Delta Zeta Xi XI, thank you for showing me that I have the capability of doing whatever my heart desires. Thank you for showing me that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died for me so that I may live my life in his word. Thank you for showing me that by loving others with everything I have, I am essentially loving myself.
Because of these women, I now see that when God blesses you with “chapters” (pun intended) in your life, the chapter never really ends. You see, when you read a book, you cannot understand chapter two until you read chapter one. My first chapter of my life was nothing but bullies and insecurities. My second chapter was understanding that when you have finally had enough, you eventually have the strength to pick yourself up and make a change. Finally, my third chapter consists of my college career and Delta Zeta.
No, I am not ready to say goodbye to my favorite chapter in my story, nor am I ready to say goodbye to the characters and women within chapter. Every character and every woman helped me to realize that Delta Zeta is not just for three years of college, it is a lifetime. I will soon see these women again on the other side whether that be helping with recruitment as an alumni or at a spontaneous dinner.
To the women of Delta Zeta Xi Xi, thank you for loving me for who I am. Thank you for being the ones to teach me to love and believe in myself. Thank you for the memories. I will never forget preference night playing guitar with Maddie, Maddie and Brianna when I had nothing but tears in my eyes. When I think back on my career, I think back to the women lined in that dimly lighted room on my final night of being on the sister side. I will forever look around that room at all of your faces and know that because of you, I am Lea. I am me. So, with all that is said I leave you with one last word of advice.
“To the world, I promise temperance and insight and courage. To crusade for justice, to seek the truth and defend it always. To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, may I give graciously of what is mine. To my friends, understanding and appreciation. To those closer ones, a love that is ever steadfast. To my mind, growth, to myself, faith, that I may walk truly in the light of the flame.”
LITF, ladies. I will never forget you.
