Dear my lovely big,
About a year ago, I was scared. When I accepted my bid to join a sisterhood, I walked into this journey very timidly. For the first few weeks of this new environment, not only within Greek life but the college atmosphere as well, I felt lost. I hadn't made any really close friends. I was worried that many girls were already finding their people and I would be left in the dust. I knew this feeling all to well from high school. I did not want this to happen again, making my next four years in college miserable. I found myself questioning if the sorority life was really meant for me.
Unfortunately, this feeling continued for a little while. I drug myself out of bed and walked to the house to go to the big/little mixers with older sisters in hopes of finding a deep connection with one of the girls. As the final mixer came to a close, I was at a loss. I met some great people but still was not sure if I was ready to commit to any one of them being my big sister.
Then everything turned around. I got a Facebook message from a bubbly redhead who was a current sophomore in the sorority. The message was asking me out on a coffee date. My instant feeling was one of pure joy. Someone had reached out to me. Why me? There were fifty other girls in my pledge class and she wanted to get to know me.
Little did I know, that girl was you. My big. My mom. My shoulder to cry on. My home away from home.
I hope you know that the impact that you have made on my life is so immense. The feeling is so difficult to put into words. When you became my big, everything turned around for me. You gave me confidence, confidence that I had never had before. I started making really close friends that I could see as my bridesmaids. I started to smile more. You allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and be myself.
All that you have done for me is unreal. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being there to comfort me when my Grandpa died and I was away from family. Thank you for immediately answering my texts or calls when I need someone to talk to (even when you were halfway around the world). Thank you for laughing with me when we are eating sushi. Thank you for giving me life tips. Thank you for accepting me when I make mistakes. Thank you for getting goofy with my (even when I try to start singing Christmas carols on the bus). Thank you for constantly giving me encouragement and reassurance in my ability.
Wow, I love you so much. Do you know those papers in middle school that you write on a person that has made a difference in your life and acts as a role model to you? Most people choose the president or one of their parents. If I could go back, I would choose you, hands down.
I can only hope that I can be half of the big that you are to my future little.
Here's to you!
xoxo, Em
