Having a Big is an experience that I never truly got to have. Going through recruitment, I was so excited for all that being in a sorority would provide me with: sisters, friends, and a family away from home. No one ever told me that my Big would leave me as soon as I was initiated, but how could anyone have known? Without my Grand Big and various sisters, I don't think I would've made it through my first year of college and all the new experiences that came along with being in a sorority.

GBig, you've taught me so much, aside from how to always be fabulous. You've taught me to always be myself and to never be fake or lead people to believe that I'm something I'm not. You've taught me that you can never wear too much black and that you can never "throw what you know" too much. You've taught me that boys will come and go but that sisters are forever. You taught me to never settle for anything and to go after what I want. You've also taught me that while losing loved ones, there is still so much to be thankful and grateful for.

So far, you've been through a lot with me. By you losing your Little and me losing my Big, I feel that it only brought us closer. You took me under your wing when you didn't have to and you made me still feel loved when I needed it the most. I cannot thank you enough for all that you've done for me and all that you've taught me.

The one thing though that I could never thank you enough for is making me strong. Because of you, I've become a more confident person. I've learned to stand up for myself. I've learned to never let anyone make me feel inferior. Because of you, I've learned that life isn't perfect but with the right kind of attitude, surrounding myself with sisters and friends, and working hard for what I want, it can come pretty close.

You are one of the strongest people I know. I can only imagine how hard it must have been going through the hard times that life threw at you, but you made it and came out of it all a stronger person. I hope that one day I can be as strong and confident as you are. That I can be as amazing, fierce, and loving as you are. I hope that I can always have a close bond with you and I hope that I always make you proud.

So even though we lost something, in a way, we actually gained something. We gained a friendship and a closer bond than what we probably would've had. And when times get hard, you always have me. Whether you need a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with, or a Little to love, I'm always here.