Sunday, February 12, 2012

True Confessions of a Sorority Girl


It’s true. I was in a sorority. I’ve never been ashamed of that fact. I wore my letters proudly around the campus of the University of Oregon where the largest social group was hippie. 
And, sure, when you step back and look at the whole thing objectively it sounds a bit odd. You join a group whom overnight you are supposed to refer to as your sisters? They give you a bunch of rules and codes to live by many of which are secret? You have to attend a whole slew of events, including but not limited to chapter meetings, social events, service projects and many more meetings? Oh and you are supposed to pay for this pleasure? 
But you know what? Worth it. So totally and utterly worth it. Many of the people I’m friends with today are my sorority sisters (two of whom will be in my upcoming wedding) and we just have the best time when we are together. We did in college and we do now. Just as then, we get dressed up, sing songs and laugh until our sides hurt. We tell the same stories over and over again and they never get old.
This past weekend a big group of us went down to Eugene for our chapter’s alumni weekend. Right before we left I found a CD that contained a bunch of photos from our years in college (yes, I am so old I went to college before digital cameras). And a fit of excitement I posted them to Facebook. The ensuing comments were so funny I was sitting at my kitchen table with tears streaming down my face. 
The weekend was full of good times and heart-warming memories – we went through stacks of photos, toured the house, went wine tasting, met current members and hit the college bars for old time’s sake.
While it was a little bittersweet because come Monday morning, I had to go back to work as a soon-to-be 30 year old instead of back to class as a 20 year old. But the sweet, was that I did get to do all this once and that so many of these wonderful and amazing women are still in my life. 
To the alumnae of Kappa Delta, thank you for making my college years so incredibly special. I will carry the memories and tell the stories until the day I die. 
To the current women of Kappa Delta, thank you for welcoming us back with open arms. I’m already looking forward to next year. 
Love in AOT,
Violet