I never thought that I would be in a sorority. I'm not really "that kind of girl" if you know what I'm saying.

I've been a member of my sorority for almost a year now, and I don't think my friends and family will ever get over it. "Can you believe she actually joined a sorority?" becomes a commonly repeated phrase among them, and of course I just smile. I will be perfectly honest and say that I made fun of the way sorority girls were my entire first semester of college. (I mean I still do but I understand that I am also making fun of myself and my sisters and honestly we all think it's pretty funny.) I never got the purpose, you're basically paying to have friends and cute t-shirts, I could do that myself without having to pay thousands of dollars a year.

Family Weekend!

Now that I look back on it, I was kind of jealous of these girls. To me, they looked picture perfect all the time and they were surrounded by girls who could support them and mentor them as they made their way through college. Support from other females was something I definitely needed, as I was spending most of my time with my guy friends. (All of my girlfriends had gone out of the city or were too busy playing sports that I never got the chance to see them.) I also noticed that in order for me to get in the professional college for my major, they like to see that we are well rounded in the types of organizations we participate in, so joining a more social club was something I already needed to look into. So when I got the email from my sorority asking if I wanted to join, I took the leap and I haven't had a single regret.

Getting ready for our installation!

I don't think it is talked about enough that women need other women to build each other up and support them. We as women face so many struggles, and finding a group of women who have your back is one of the greatest feelings in the world. I feel so honored and blessed to be around a diverse group of women (not very many sororities can say that they are as diverse as we are, half of the women in our sorority are women of color.) who support each other as well as the people in Greek Life. While I used to think that sorority life was superficial, my sorority experience gave me so much more than being part of "a pretty girl gang". My sorority sisters help me everyday with college struggles. Whether they be emotional, financial, or academic, they always have my back, and many have been in similar situations and give amazing words of wisdom.

Alex and I at our first bid day!

I understand sorority life isn't for everyone, and I was lucky to join one that I could afford and that was full of unique and powerful women. My experience was foreign and scary at first, but now I feel like I've gotten to know my sisters on a deeper level, and it sounds corny but I want to see some of their faces smiling at me when the time comes for me to walk down the aisle.

Founder's Day was totally tublar

No, sorority life isn't for everyone, but I'm glad it was for me. I've met some truly inspirational, beautiful, successful, kind, and courageous women. I'm proud to call them my sisters, and I'm proud to wear my letters. Looking back a year ago, I have made leaps and strides when it comes to confidence, and I know I have a group of girls I can always lean on. I love them all so much, and I'm so thankful to be fortunate enough to spend the rest of my life as one of their sisters.