Sorority Life. How does one sum up what it means to be in a sorority (especially since everyone has such varying experiences)? I'm not saying that I am the expert on the sorority world, hell, I consider myself to have been a pretty crappy "sister", but an incident a couple of weekends ago really made me rethink the four years I spent investing my time and finances as a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi.
My original intention for joining was mainly my parent's insistence that it would be a great way for a sophomore transfer student to make friends. I had never really pegged myself as much of a sorority girl, but I figured I would give it a try by at least going through the Greek Life orientation. Orientation was nerve-wrenching. It seemed as though everyone that showed up had at least brought a friend along to alleviate some of the awkward nervousness of the situation. Me? Well, since I had just moved to San Antonio from Louisiana and the only people I knew were my parents, I was riding completely solo. Luckily, I managed to sit next to someone who, like me, was also new to San Antonio and didn't know anyone. Oh, Ana; my first friend at UTSA (and not to mention still a great friend even after she pledged a different sorority than me). I really think that if I hadn't managed to meet Ana that first day, I wouldn't have returned to continue the process. After a weekend of forced conversation and an endless supply of questions and answers, I was connected with my new "sisters", the ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi (AOPi).
The new member process was interesting. Considering that I am a standoffish kind of person and was even more so at nineteen years old, I didn't really feel as though I had connected with all of the other girls in my pledge class. There was of course my pledge sister, Jenna, who was my companion for most of my pledging process, but other than her, I didn't really feel as though I had much to relate to the others. Everyone almost instantly seemed to bond and have that sisterly love for each other. I am not a lovey-dovey kind of person. I don't hug, I don't hold hands, I don't express much emotion (I, honestly am an annoyingly emotional person, but only those closest to me are the ones who get to see that side.) But again, as fate would have it, I managed to get the best big sister ever, Missy, who reassured me that I was making the right decision by sticking with it. (BTW, if you aren't familiar with sororities, a big sister is someone who is to act as your mentor and guidance throughout your years in the organization.)
The following three years after initiation all seem to be a blur to me. My first semester as an official initiated member, I got my first little sis, Natalie. The Amber and Natalie show was indescribable. The wildest of my college years, she and I were pretty inseparable. It was during that time that Jenn entered the picture and the Amber and Natalie show progressed to the "Troublesome Trio" (and, yes, we had that name first). After the troublesome trio dissolved, I made my appearances at AOPi events limited. Jenn and I had been deemed the "bad guys" after the breakup of the trio, so in an attempt to avoid confrontation, I checked out for a little bit. It was Missy's insistence that I continue to come to events, and as a result of her advice, I ended up with two more Littles, Sarah and Liz (twins as they were dubbed). My relation with these littles was different then the one between Natalie and I. Don't get me wrong, I loved/love my twins, but while Natalie's relationship was based on friendship, the Twin's was based on mentoring and respect.
Most of my AOPi experiences revolved around the "sisters" I related to most. I always find it humorous when people say that sorority girls buy their friends (which I guess you can somewhat say since we pay to have parties and events) but what people don't realize is that not every girl in the sorority is going to be best friends. I still remember a new member telling me one time at retreat that she was scared of me. That statement made me laugh (yet hurt my feelings), because I have been told that a lot. People automatically assumed that I was judgmental and snobby because I didn't "hang out with them". I just didn't have much to relate to a 19 year old at the age of 21. I had been through the party stage, I had been through the drama, and I was over it. At twenty one years old, I had made the friends that I figured would be my friends for a long time, and I didn't feel the need to let people in who probably weren't going to stay.
After all of the drama, chaos and fun that I experienced during my years in AOPi, I must say that I am most appreciative for the best friends that I remain closest to after college. I think it was the Greek Life experience that gave us the bond that makes up lifelong friendships. While I may not be best friends with all of my sisters from AOPi, I do respect them. I regret not making the effort to let people get to know me better, and I regret not getting to know them better. A couple of weekends ago I was able to reconnect with some of my sisters, including my little Natalie, and it was a great time reliving old memories and catching up on new ones. I hope, and will try, to remain in contact with them for years to come; it was obvious from lunch that we have a lot in common and probably missed out on a lot of great times by remaining so distant.
Thanks to the Ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi for the wonderful memories. "Women Enriched through Lifelong Friendship"...yep, I can agree with that mission statement.
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