My Life is a Cliché, in the Very Best Way

In the summer, I wrote a blog about the possibility of going through Panhellenic recruitment. (Read it here.) Strangely, I chose not to go through recruitment. Since writing that article, much of my mentality towards the Greek system has changed: I no longer despise fraternity guys' apparel choices. (Hey, how can you not love that adorable little whale VV has?) I'm yet to meet a sorority girl who prides herself on acting vengeful towards her sisters. Most of the girls I know aren't even blonde! (Sorry for that shocker, but someone had to say it.) I don't believe that there is even a specific way to classify many Panhellenic systems. The movies don't even get close...

Last week, I was initiated into Delta Gamma.  After going through informal recruitment in November, I had been waiting for initiation. It was the moment at which what I've seen and worked for all semester would actually mean something. It became not just something I hoped for, but something that would become a part of my entire life, for the rest of my life. This sorority has transformed me. It has shown me what it means to be a part of and represent something greater than myself. I've seen bits of what sisterhood means, and I'm so ready to experience it to the fullest.

Initially, I was skeptical about the whole sorority experience. I'm not a cookie-cutter, but my sisters don't expect me to be. I'm a multi-faceted person and any interest I have, I can find a sister who shares that interest. But I'm not going to give you a schpeel about how great a sorority is because any sorority girl can tell you that. You can Google sororities national websites and see the professions of love for their sisters. These girls can tell you the logistics and what it seems like, but they can't tell you how it'll make you feel.

Delta Gamma makes me want to be a better person. Everywhere I look, I see my sisters running exec positions, volunteering, and serving on USGA. They're applying to medical school and speaking at conventions. I want to work harder for these girls. I want their legacies to mean something. I want the best for myself because I want the best for DG. I want people to look at my sisters, and see classy, smart, beautiful individuals who are accomplishing their dreams. I want people to see me and think, "Oh, she's a Delta Gee? Then that makes sense." Our unity is not because we're trying to fit into some stereotype of what we think we should look like or act like, but because we have the same goal: do something more, with ourselves, our school, and the world.

It isn't something that's forced. It can't be. What separates a sisterhood from a sorority is that the former is genuine. I didn't think I could actually grow to unconditionally love fifty other people. I didn't think that someone chosen as my "big sis" could really be my go-to gal. I didn't think that my sisters would be there for more than just kicks and giggles.

Boy, was I wrong.

I can honestly say that I absolutely love each and every one of my sisters 110%. They are some of the most devoted, motivated, and encouraging people I have ever met in my entire life. Never before have I been a part of something where I felt so welcomed. My whole life I've felt like people have "tolerated" me, but my sisters? They don't just tolerate my quirkiness; they embrace it.

My big? I cannot use words to describe her without sounding like a crazy, lesbian, stalker. Two days after I received my bid, I was was about to leave for my first sorority function and I was unnecessarily nervous but I remember seeing this girl I kind of recognized. She said hi to me, and gave me her number so I wouldn't have to walk to the suite alone. From then, she really started to reach out to me. She'd invite me to parties and lunch and to just hang out. Sometime in January, we started hanging out... a lot. We'd spend hours talking about everything and nothing at all. We'd talk about boys, shopping, theater, the sorority, but what we really bonded over was our love for Papa John's pizza. A month later, Big/Little Reveal didn't leave me disappointed. When I hate the world, she's there. When I want to watch Gossip Girl on a Friday night, she's there. When I need to talk, she's there. When I need to forget, she's there. Somehow, she always know which one is necessary, even before I do. She's a dreamer, but in all the best ways. She's a quiet leader, but she's fierce. She's so many things, but my favorite one is "Big." I could go on forever, but that nobody really cares about those little details.

But that's the best part.

My experiences may not mean anything to you. They're unique. They're special. They're perfect...because they're mine. And yours are perfect because they are yours. I know this sounds unnecessarily fufu cliche, but I believe it with every fiber of my being.

Maybe someone will read this and decide to join a sorority, maybe not. Sure, Greek life isn't for everyone, but it's important to keep your mind open, especially in college. My hope is that you are able to find somewhere in life what I've found in Delta Gamma. An organization that inspires you to be your best, and gives you the tools to do that.

My prayer is that you seek the best for yourself, each and every day, realizing that there are things bigger than yourself in this world. Whether you're inspired by Mary Comfort Leonard, George Washington, or even Madonna, make your life mean something.