In August 2012, I followed my heart from Ohio down to North Carolina. Not because I wanted a break from cold weather or wanted to get as far away from my family as I possibly could, but simply for a fresh start. A new beginning. Going to a school where I wouldn’t pass any familiar faces walking on campus. Or walk into my dorm to see a high school clique of girls I’d already spent four years with. Or sit down next to a middle school crush in College Algebra. It just never sounded very appealing. As I was settling in to my jail cell-size of a new home, I was hearing a lot of talk about joining a sorority. And “rushing.” And going through recruitment. One wide-eyed freshman mentioned that not wearing heels was a free pass for rejection. Honestly, this all meant nothing to me. I didn’t know anything about sororities or the selection process at all. I wasn’t sure it was something for me. But somehow I was convinced. I went though the intimidating and nerve-wracking process known as recruitment. Some girls had been planning for this since their senior year of high school and knew more than just what they had seen in the movies. Or at least they acted as if they did. As a high school senior, all I had been doing was focusing on homework, looking forward to graduation. I was very excited for the college experience, but I wasn’t researching the sororities my school had to offer. Well, my mom was. Mother knows best, right? I wasn’t even close to being prepared. But supposedly the key to this whole thing was to keep an open mind - to not go into the process wanting only a certain group to choose you in the end. Oops, didn’t follow that rule. I didn’t know much yet I didn’t have any questions to ask. Each night, I followed the schedule I was given and walked in to multiple rooms on campus of overly smiley girls wearing matching outfits. My apprehensive self was forced to speak and open up to complete strangers. I was asked the same questions repeatedly, whether the girls were bubbly and bouncy or rude and uninviting. There was a mixture of both.“Where are you from?” “What’s your major?” “Why do you want to join a sorority?” But eventually I had generated a response to spit back at them without even thinking. If I said I didn’t feel awkward - I’d be lying. My feet were sore from standing for hours. (Not wearing heels was the right choice). My throat dry from talking. And my cheeks hurt from the permanent smile I formed across my face. Feelings of hunger and disappointment churned in my stomach. But at the end of the week I had a bid in my hand. A plain, white envelope with with my name scribbled on the front. And a printed card inside welcoming me into a group of girls I didn’t know. A sisterhood. Who knew that two years later something I knew absolutely nothing about would be one of the most important and special things in my life. With that being said, I have some things to thank you for. Thank you for giving me my home away from home. This line is almost to the point of being overused, but I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. I think I would feel somewhat like a lost puppy without you. Moving away and being in a new environment was difficult at times, but I’m so glad I took that step. Because while I was 8 1/2 hours from my family, you were there for me. You’ve given me a place where I feel safe and comfortable. A support system. A place that I am always so excited to get back to. A second home. Thank you for assisting me in becoming a more confident and outgoing individual. I would never use these adjectives to describe myself. Ever. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m an introvert. But I will say that you have given me a push in the right direction that I’ve been needing for quite a while. You have provided several opportunities for me to be more talkative and forward. For example, the appointed positions I now have under my belt. And just putting me in unfamiliar situations. You have brought me out of my comfort zone. And although it is not a massive amount, you have helped me instill a sense of confidence in myself. Thank you for giving me other ways to spend my time rather than re-watching my favorite TV shows. Don’t get me wrong - I love binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy as much as the next person. Probably more than most people, actually. But there are so many more options worth exploring. In high school, I was not involved. Which I regret. So, enrolling in a large, out-of-state university seemed like a second chance at school involvement. You’ve introduced me to several community service events and projects that I otherwise would have never been a part of. And you’ve shown me how fun it can be to just get out of the house and socialize more. Thank you for giving me my best friend. Never before have I had someone in my life who I want to spend so much time with. And talk to so much. Someone who is always there to listen and who is honest with me when I need it most. A shoulder to cry on when I’m sad, but also someone who can bring me to tears just from laughing so hard. Someone who inspires me and challenges me. Someone who I feel so comfortable with and who I truly miss when she’s not around. Someone who I feel extremely lucky to have met because of you. Thank you for giving me a group of girls who I can go to about anything. Yes, a group of 100-something college girls is a lot of people to keep track of, but I can tell you that in every situation at least one of them will always have my back. The truth is, it’s impossible to be best friends with everyone. Everyone is different. And girls will be girls. But you have taught me how to compromise and work together to continue to build something great and something worth remembering. And thank you for making me a better person. You have shaped my college experience so far in more ways than one. You can cause some stress from time to time, but it is all worth it in the end. Overall, you have made such a positive impact. You have helped me grow as person and be the absolute best version of myself. I know that I will never be able to give you as much as you have given me. Or thank you for every single thing you have done to make my life better. But I hope one day you’ll be thanking me too.
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