I remember thinking that I would be the last person to ever join a sorority. The stereotypes that movies portrayed just didn't seem to fit in with my personality. However, once I made the decision to go to a school that was 70% male, I decided to look in to rushing in hopes of being able to surround myself with more like minded women.
The first rush event was just an introductory meeting with all the houses to get to know more about the philanthropy and values of each sorority. While this event was supposed to be a sneak peak at what sorority life was like and to have questions answered to better gauge whether the process was actually something that you wanted to go through, it was much more to me. This was the day that I first met my future big and I knew from the beginning of our lengthy conversation that she was the kind of person that I would want to call a sister and definitely someone I would want to call my big.
After the whirlwind of rush and bid day, I began to become a part of my sorority's family. I met so many girls that I wasn't able to meet during rush and after each sister I met I fell more and more in love with the house that I chose.
After a year of being involved in Greek Life, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Whenever I was trying to find somewhere to go out and a group to go with there was always a group of sisters available. If I needed someone to vent or cry to, I had sisters available for that as well. Some of my closest friends are also my sorority sisters. I know I always have a formal to look forward to each semester and social events on the weekends. Even better, I know I have so many closets to chose from when I have nothing to wear to those events. I have made crafts, mistakes and memories with girls in my sorority and it truly is all unforgettable.
However, joining a sorority isn't just all hodge-podge and nights out, it is a commitment that has to be made. Pretty soon you learn that there are weekly chapter meetings, scheduled days to clean the house, fundraising events early in the morning and community service. These are what make the sorority worthwhile to me. I'm glad that I don't just share the fun times with the women I call sisters. It's important that we share good deeds and chores together too, because that is what solidifies the sisterly bond. It's easy to always be there for someone when it's for something fun, but if it's 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning and you're still smiling and having fun while trying to sell chicken wings in extremely cold weather, you know you found friends for life.