"Why didn't you rush?"
That is one of my least favorite questions, and one that I have answered far too many times. I even wrote about it. But this past week, I did it. I rushed.
On Tuesday night, I sat in a room full of neatly organized chairs where nervous girls with big smiles and even bigger nerves sat, excited to begin the search for their home.
But I wasn't all that nervous. I knew how life is without a sorority, and I liked it. My everything was not in the line like it seemed to be for the girls that sat all around me.
From an hour or so of speeches, one specific phrase stuck with me: maybe-joiner. That's exactly what I was. I thought I wouldn't join. Recruitment week for me meant that I would meet some nice girls, get some tasty drinks and snacks, see cool houses, and then walk away. No commitment necessary.
But boy, was I wrong. I did get to meet some pretty awesome women, sharing some repetitive yet somehow exciting small talk while drinking a lot of cleverly named drinks in beautiful mansions filled with friendships.
But I did not walk away.
I did not walk away because on that first night I talked to an incredible girl and got a glimpse of a house I could call home.
But I knew the stories. I knew not to set my heart on one house, but I did it anyway.
Yet, for the next two nights, I told myself that I would not join any house. I denied the goose bumps that certain songs or phrases would give me. I ignored the way my heart would pound every time I imagined myself wearing greek letters.
But then, I sat there as four girls shared their stories in between tears, and when my own eyes started to cloud, I knew I was in too deep. I could no longer ignore it. I could no longer pretend that I was not emotionally invested. That house was my home.
So, Sunday morning, I signed my name underneath my new sisterhood and walked out into the arms of wonderful girls. And my eyes filled with tears of joy.
I started recruitment four long days ago without any intention of joining, yet today, I sit here a new member of an organization filled with incredible girls that I cannot wait to get to know better.
Basically this is all to say that if there is the least bit of you considering recruitment, try it! It's worth it. Worst comes to worst, you'll end exactly where you are now, except with the undeniable knowledge that sorority life is not for you.
