At the time I am writing this, bid day was 24 days ago. By the time you read this, it'll probably be right at a month. That doesn't seem like very long. It doesn't feel like very long, either. But somehow, in this last month or so, my life has already been affected in the most beautiful ways by the sorority that I pledged.

In just one short month, I've grown immensely in confidence. I introduce myself to strangers now more than I ever have. I open up to girls whose last names I sometimes can't remember. I was not involved in ANYTHING in high school, but I was encouraged by the older girls to try out for SGA here, and for some reason I took a leap of faith and did. With the confidence that my sisters instilled in me, I came out of the interview process a new member of the Freshman associates. Without their love and support, I would have let my anxiety get the best of me and I would have never even thought to sign up.

In just one short month, I've formed relationships so deep and so real that I could probably tell you right now who my bridesmaids are going to be. Lord bless the girls who willingly spend every single day with me because we all know I am a lot to handle. Lord bless them too, though, for blessing me with their daily grace, accountability, unyielding love and constant encouragement. The even better part of being in this sorority is that I know as the years go by, I am going to continue to grow closer to even more girls. The blossoming friendships aren't limited to this one pledge class and to this one semester before initiation, but they will continue to be formed as long as we want them to be.

In just one short month, I've had more motivation to get my schoolwork done than I ever have. In high school, I could pay attention in class and not really study and come out with a solid B and move on in my life. Now, though, I want my sisters to be proud of my accomplishments and see me as the best student I can be, so I have been working harder than ever before. Their encouragement and pride in me solidifies my efforts and motivates me to keep getting better. When I told my sister in my PC at breakfast yesterday how I studied all night for this math test and made a good grade, she could not stop beaming and praising me with words of acclimation. She knows math is my weak point, and her total joy in my hard work made it worth that much more. These girls didn't come here to college to party and find a husband and drink Starbucks every day for the rest of their lives. They are here to build their own well-rounded futures that no one else can build for them. They work super hard, they also they play pretty hard, but most importantly, they love so, so hard.

To those who are in a sorority, whether you're still a new member or it's your senior year, hug your sisters tight today and let them know the impact that they've had on you. Send them a text or write on their timeline and let them know that you have a whole lot of love for them. To my own sisters, thank you for building me up so much already in just one short month. Everyone from our president to our Momma Hootie to the girls in my PC who live on my hall, thanks for loving me and all my sisters for who we are and for showing us how to be the best we can be.