To the newly initiated member of my sorority,

I am so proud of everything you all have accomplished in the past couple of months. Initiation is different from recruitment, it's different from bid day--it is the day that you learn everything about our organization and why we hold it so close to our hearts.

From the second you ran home to us on bid day, I knew you were meant to be in our sorority. I am so excited that now you are officially a part of our organization.

Initiation isn't the end of the journey, however. You probably were told this about a million times already, but a sorority is not four years--it's for life. I personally have changed so much since the moment I stepped foot in our house, and I know you will too. I never knew I could grow so much as an individual, and then it happened. I learned my strengths, my weaknesses, and every last detail about myself that I never knew I didn't know. I learned how to conquer my fears, and face up to things I was always afraid to face up to.

Sorority life can be hard sometimes. It is definitely not all parties and functions. There are meetings, retreats, workshops, team building, and loads of self-reflection that go into this organization. There are times where you will be sitting in the chapter room studying for a test (while also being super stressed out). There will also be times where you are standing out in the front of the house as your sister, who you haven't seen in months, is finally reunited with you. You will experience so many things inside and outside of this house, but all of them will be special, and all of them will compile into a long string of memories that you will always remember.

Initiation was the start of all of this. It was the start of a lifetime of sisterly love. Get ready for more stack pictures, for letter shirts, for more Sonic runs at midnight. You are about to experience the fullness of our sisterhood.

It's weird to think back at when I was initiated, because I was a completely different person than who you see today. Now, I am finally the woman I always thought I could never be. I am still getting there--but I know that I will achieve everything I can with the help of my sisters. I hope that I can also be that sister for you.

Know that we will be here, always. We will always have your back, in the good times and in the bad. You are officially welcomed into our sisterhood with open arms. Make the most of this.

Love,

Your sister