We've all heard it. "You're paying for your friends." The phrase that surrounds Greek life. I wouldn't be surprised if even I had said it in the past. It is common knowledge that members of sororities and fraternities have monthly dues. Yes, I have to give my chapter money once a month. No, I am not paying for my friends. Let's be honest, most of my dues end up being t-shirts for events and other random apparel that is totally (un)necessary. Yes, I do need a t-shirt for every event I ever attended. How else is anyone going to know I went?

You have to pay for any organization you are involved in. So why is Greek life pin-pointed for "paying for our friends"? Organizations need money to function no matter what they are. Life isn't free, people! Just because you gain friendships through sororities and fraternities, it by no means equates to paying for those friends. I could not pay people enough to be my friend. Trust me. It is also a very large possibility that you can join a Greek organization, and not make many friends. That is just the truth of it. I fully believe that you get out of it what you put in. If you are not involved within the organization, or making an effort to get to know people, you probably will not get out of it what you had hoped.

Money could never buy what Kappa Delta has given me. It has given me a home away from home, my best friends, my biggest support system, future roommates, future bridesmaids, unconditional love, and confidence in myself. I will be forever grateful for that. And all the t-shirts, I'll have for the rest of my life. Those are great, too.