Let’s face it, when you’re a sorority girl, you get called a lot of things. But today, close to 18 years after my own Greek adventures began—and on International Badge Day—I’m simply proud. Proud to be a Kappa Kappa Gamma. Proud to be married to a Sigma Nu. Proud to be the daughter of a Kappa and a Fiji. Proud to be friends with people of all ages, from a number of different houses, from a number of schools across the country.
I recently learned my dad’s fraternity motto: “Not for college days alone.” And while I don’t remember those exact words being spoken during my childhood, I certainly saw the spirit of those words lived throughout my life. Not just through my dad’s fraternity brothers who have been there from my earliest childhood memories straight through to my dad’s memorial service—and beyond. But through my mom’s and grandmother’s sorority sisters who have been the same.
So, as you can imagine, when I went to college, joining a sorority was like signing up for class. It was just something you do. And I did. I looked at it as a great way to meet people in a school with a student body almost as large as my hometown. But I didn’t grasp how much my life would be impacted by becoming part of what I considered to be a social group at the time.
Don’t get me wrong, we were plenty social. (And I have the Party Pics to prove it.) But most nights we weren’t found out on the town striking a mean Charlie’s Angels pose. Most nights we were deep in The Pit—the study room of our house. And nobody I know was working toward her Mrs. degree, though many of us were lucky enough to meet our future husbands in school and share this time with them too. The girls turned women I formed bonds with were becoming teachers, doctors, lawyers, writers, designers, counselors and world travelers. In fact, I’m one of the few people I can think of who didn’t go on to get an advanced degree. The sorority girls that I knew—up and down the row—worked hard, played hard and made an effort to get the most from their college experience. And they made amazing friendships along the way.
But what I love most about my sorority experience isn’t those stories from long ago. While I will always treasure those memories, I treasure the life I have right here, right now. And that life just happens to include many of the same people.
If I tell you about my sorority sisters or Lenny’s fraternity brothers, I’m telling you about my bridesmaids, his groomsmen. I’m telling you about the people who inspired me to explore the world of advertising and writing. I’m telling you about Big’s godparents and our kids’ good friends’ parents. I’m telling you about my dear friend who’s getting married, having a baby, or mourning the loss of a parent. I’m telling you about a number of the people who read my words, share them with others and tell me that they know exactly what I’m going through, be it a hilarious parenting story or heartbreaking moment. These friends now live in every corner of the world—including right down the street—and I cherish their friendship and support as much now as I did back then.
Were you in the Greek system? In honor of International Badge Day, I hope you’ll share your letters and/or experiences in the comments.
I’m drinking a cup of tea. Out of a mug that says “UCLA Mom”. Given to me by you and others for Christmas the year we pledged. It has a couple chips in it now, but I treasure it just the same. I was a junior transfer and, yes, somehow felt the need to protect my pledge sisters (and yes, I did barge into a room at the Sigma Nu house once – maybe twice – to check on things). When dealing with reflux and tired of singing the same lullabies to the boys, I often found myself singing and humming old Kappa Songs!
I sing some of those songs as lullabies too. Maybe you can fill in some of the missing words for me, “Mom”. xoxo
I love this! I look back and I am so thankful for the friendships made, lessons learned together, and many (many) adventures. So much of who I am today was shaped in ways big and small by the women we shared those four years with. 🙂
I hope we get to have our reunion next month. It will be so great to catch up in person!
I am a Phi Mu, the first in my family to go Greek. Had no idea what to expect. What I got was magical. Some of the best memories and most lasting friendships of my life. It may sound cliche, but it’s true: those women are sisters to me.
Aimee, I don’t have any real sisters, so as far as I’m concerned, these friends are my sisters too. I’m glad to hear you had such a good experience as well.
I love this! As a fellow Kappa legacy with an Greek father, I definitely understand the idea of joining a sorority as ‘just something you do.” Thank you for putting it so eloquently today! Happy Badge Day! 🙂
(and thanks to Logan for linking this post on fb!)
Yes, thanks to Logan for sharing this! And thanks to you for reading and commenting too. I love hearing that someone had such a similar experience!
My friends and I always joke with one another that we have to hang out because we “paid to be friends”… And let me tell you, this was the best “investment” I (ahem – my parents) ever made! 😉 We still have our little group of friends and cling on to that annual girls’ weekend like our lives depend on it :)!
It’s funny to hear that you’re surrounded by fellow Greek system alum because much of my work life, I was alone. Having been in the academic trenches of the research industry, I pretty much filled the stereotype of the type of person those academics hated growing up… cheerleader, athlete, sorority girl (which, of course wasn’t all I was about but those were kind of the big 3 identifiers). Today, I am now lifelong friends with these folks and I’d like to think I’ve helped them see past the gross generalization of “the types of people” who went greek in college… I think anyone with a prejudice who meets you and some of your friends will be quickly proven wrong, too :)!
UCSB Delta Delta Delta – Gamma Theta chapter, Iota pledge class ;)!
So sorry I missed this comment back when…
Oh, Jodie, there’s nothing less cool in the creative industry than being in a sorority. I didn’t talk about it for years, unless people were teasing me. Hopefully I broke a stereotype or two as well along the way. I guess as I make new friends I’m not all that surprised to find out that we have the Greek system in common.