Dear Sisters,

Yes, all 187 of you. We are bonded not by blood, but by rituals, chants, symbols and letters. Sometimes, these are stronger than blood. These things open our eyes up to a whole different kind of sisterhood. A sorority sisterhood. This one’s for you.

1. Thanks for being you.

Although we are all a part of the same sisterhood, we are not the same. We are all different. Some of us like sports, some of us like make-up, and some of us like both. Some people are even dog people (*shudder*). And that’s great. This lets all of us be exposed to many different personalities and characteristics, further developing and improving our own.

2. Thanks for all the advice.

Because we are all different, we all bring different, fresh points of view. From boys to classes to late-night food runs, we are bound to disagree on something. And that’s when the advice comes in. As a freshman, there are three pledge classes above me that have been in my exact situation before and can guide me. And then there are 50 other girls in my exact position now that can tell me how they would solve things. What do I wear to barn dance? How do I react when my boyfriend’s ex subtweets me? What did I do to deserve a text from the ex who shall not be named? Whatever help or reassurance I need, you provide it.

3. Thanks for supporting me.

When I joined a house, I gained an incredible support system. I know I have over a hundred sisters that will defend my every move. Why was it a good idea to like my boyfriend’s “In a relationship” Facebook status with his ex from 2012? I’m still trying to figure that out, but if anyone ever tries to start a fight with me, my sisters got my back (and will like the status with me).

4. Thanks for being there.

Who would leave a mandatory meeting just to drive me to the emergency for a freak allergic reaction? And then rush me home so we could bar crawl? My roommate, that’s who. Thanks for literally dropping everything to cater to my every need, no matter when it is or where I am. That’s true sisterhood.

5. Thanks for joining me.

No matter what I want to do--stay in, go out, stay in and then go out-- there is one of you willing to do it with me. If I’ve just bombed my Economics test and want to let off some steam, one of you will dance it out with me. If I’ve just ate my body weight in Oreos, one of you will come to the gym with me. When I’ve got a date event and I need to bus it to the mall to get my eyebrows done, you’re there. Whatever I want to do, one of you will join me.

6. Thanks for the closets.

Sisterhood. What is it without sharing clothes? I’ll be the first to admit I may be a little fashion-deprived. But lucky for me, when you gain sisters, you gain closets. Thank you for letting me borrow dresses when everyone wants to dress up, and thank you for letting me borrow shirts when everyone is going a little more casual. And an obvious thanks for letting me borrow whole outfits for date events because I do not own a single ounce of semi-formal wear. P.S. I promise I’ll buy my own t-shirt dress soon.

7. Thank you for all the beauty tips.

Not only am I fashion deprived, but I’m also make-up challenged. And I have acne. What a wonderful combination. But who else would do my makeup for me every time we go out? And teach me step by step how to do it myself? In the past six months, I have learned how to highlight, contour, beauty blend, AND wing my eyeliner. How is this possible? Well, it’s all thanks to you guys.

Actual video of me before you all:

Me now:

8. Thanks for accepting me, flaws and all.

I’m human. I make mistakes. You make mistakes. We all make mistakes. It’s what humans do. Thank you for giving me chance after chance after chance to redeem myself. You see past my flaws and know that there’s good underneath. You move past my mistakes and continue to love me and forgive me. Even when I don’t deserve it.

9. You make me a better person.

As cheesy as it sounds, it’s true. Ever since I’ve met you, I’ve done everything I can to be the kind of sister you want to have, even when sometimes I’m not. You’ve taught me valuable skills like communication, something I’ve always tried to avoid. You’ve allowed me to trust in my friends again, and have showed me what true friendship is. Because of you, I’m a better, more positive, more happy version of myself.

10. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Being 187 of us, I don’t know all of you. And to many of you that I do know, it’s not that well. Some of you are studying abroad, some of you are involved in other things, and some of you just haven’t crossed my path yet. And that’s okay. We still share a bond and I still love you, just like I know you still love me and are there for me.

11. Thanks for being the sisters I never had.

As an only child, I was never exposed to the bonds that come with having a sister. I didn’t have girls to stay up all night on the phone with or cuddle with while watching "The Bachelor." To be honest, I didn’t know girls even did these things. But ever since I became a sister, girls to do these things with have been in high demand. And I am grateful for every last one of you. Thank you.