WOW didnt see that coming at all!! Im glad she followed her heart and ended up happy. On to #3!

I didn't see it coming either! Daughters are ALL a little bit Unpredictable, but my middle one takes it to a whole other level!!

Daughter #3s Story

Like her sisters she too had heard all the same stories, been to football games, sports camps etc. She had spent weekends with both Opinionated and Unpredictable on campus in various dorm rooms. We toured medium and large universities during that week, but something was different with Daughter #3. She didn’t seem to be all that interested in the tours or even discussing what she liked or didn’t like. What she did seem interested in (and had researched ahead of time) were the exact locations and hours of every MALL we passed along the way. During that trip, much shopping was done and very little was decided about applying to college. No, we didn’t do the official tour at the “University of Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks”. She told me that since she had been there so many times there seemed little point and anyway she had been on the University website doing her own “research”.

Now a word about Daughter #3. There is no other word to describe her except Determined. This is the kid who knows what she wants and makes plans that the Allies in WWII would have be proud of to accomplish it. She always has a goal and a plan. She NEVER goes into anything unprepared or without all the information available at her command. So, it’s Fall of 2005 and Determined and her parents are meeting with the College guidance counselor (bless those folks, I really don’t know how they cope) to discuss where she intends to apply. We (meaning Mom, Dad and the counselor) discuss the schools that Determined has visited and what we (mostly me) thought of each. Determined is strangely quiet during this discussion. Then the counselor turns to Determined and asks what she thinks. And here it comes…. Determined has, for lack of a better word, determined that she is apply to one school and one school only and it’s of course the “University of Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks”. Well, Dad and I are extremely pleased, but a bit perplexed. If you’ll remember the University did away with early decision after the year Opinionated applied so won’t Determined need to apply to a few “safety” schools in case she’s not admitted?? “Well, Yes” said the counselor “ That’s usually what we recommend, but in Determined’s case there really is no reason to apply anywhere else if she’s sure that’s where she wants to go. She’s near the top of her class, taken many advanced classes, made great grades and her SAT scores are way above the average, so there’s no risk she won’t get in.” At this point Determined smiles her enigmatic smile and I know that this is EXACTLY what she’s been planning all along and that our college visit road trip was nothing but a shopping expedition!

This time I didn’t even have to conjure up a Greek letter tee. On the way home, Determined announced that she was definitely going to rush and in addition that she would either be a member of ABC or XYZ sorority come fall!

What a surprise!
 

Well, here is hoping for Daughter #3 to go Greek!

I like her.... :)

I think I am all your daughters rolled into one...

Love it! Can't wait to read more!

Please don't make us wait!!!!!!!!
 

Keep going...please! I've had too much "waiting on things" this week!;)

[quote] Now a word about Daughter #3. There is no other word to describe her except Determined. This is the kid who knows what she wants and makes plans that the Allies in WWII would have be proud of to accomplish it. She always has a goal and a plan. She NEVER goes into anything unprepared or without all the information available at her command. [/quote]

This is my 3rd and youngest to a tee!

I know how that is! Hope your daughter finds her Greek Home!

Daughter #3s Story….. Part 2

Fast forward to August 2006. Dad and I are helping Determined move into her dorm room on what had to be the hottest day so far that summer. She is thrilled with her dorm, her roommate, her classes and every other thing having to do with being at college. She and her roommate are already going up and down the hall and introducing themselves. It looks like a great group of girls! I am thrilled for her and once again for ME. She would be starting rush in a couple weeks. I had spent the summer (yet again) securing recs for all the chapters on campus. All summer, while Determined and I shopped for rush outfits, I tried to tell her that she may not want to go into rush with only 2 houses in mind or that she may change her mind once she got to school. Determined just smiles and listens politely. So with tears pouring down my face (I swear I still hate this empty nest thing), Dad and I drive away, leaving Determined to her first few days at college.

Next thing I know, Rush has begun. Determined enjoys the first round, but is still convinced she knows what she wants. She ranks the houses and the next day invites come back. Determined has been invited to the maximum number of houses and most importantly, her 2 pre-selected favorites. The next round is Skits. Determined has a great time. She ranks the houses that night and lists the same top 2. The next day, the news is still good. She’s been invited back to her 2 favorites and 3 more. Her opinion doesn’t change after Philanthropy and House Tours. She is still planning to join either ABC or XYZ. Invitations to pref night come out the next day. I am anxious waiting for her call. I know that if she gets her list and her top 2 are on it, she’ll end up the member of a GLO. The next day, when the call comes, I am ecstatic because there they are! Now all she has to do is attend the pref parties and rank the houses one last time. Unless, something goes VERY wrong, Determined will pledge a sorority in a few days!!!!

Wait a minute, I’ve been here before…….

[quote=FSUMummy;1502948]

Quote:

Now a word about Daughter #3. There is no other word to describe her except Determined. This is the kid who knows what she wants and makes plans that the Allies in WWII would have be proud of to accomplish it. She always has a goal and a plan. She NEVER goes into anything unprepared or without all the information available at her command. [/

What is it with kids like this?? I've NEVER been as sure of what I want as she is EVERY day!!!

AAAHHH!!! Tell the end! Tell the end!
 

So I get all hooked on this thread this morning and my internet goes out. It's FINALLY back up and I'm reading it. I need MORE! MORE! MORE! Come on, finish the story!

Absolutely Wonderful!
 

I am loving this story. Please Ma'am, may we have some more?

Daughter #3s Story….. Part 3

Now, just a little of what I was thinking during Determined’s rush. My first fear was: what if she gets cut from BOTH of the houses she wants to join? Will she take the time to consider other options or drop out of rush? Fortunately, that didn’t happen. So my next fear: since we live only a few hours from the University and LOTS of girls from our area rush and join sororities, I had a few preconceived notions of my own. I could see Determined being a member of ABC but not XYZ. Should I discuss this with her? Or should I leave it alone and let her make up her own mind? I chose not to say a word and to HOPE she makes the right choice… or the sorority does!

The morning of pref parties, Determined calls. She is excited to visit the houses that night, but has chosen to only visit ABC and XYZ. She liked the girls she met in the 3rd house, but couldn’t see herself as a member. After the parties she calls and says that even though she was leaning toward ABC all week, she ended up putting XYZ as her top choice. She said she knew she could be happy at either, but XYZ had a slight edge. She felt that this house was a bit stronger and more respected on campus. They had tons of girls that were leaders in campus organizations and to top it off the house was fabulous! So, now there’s only the wait until bids are handed out tomorrow afternoon. I have my doubts but Determined is sure she’s made the right choice.

The next afternoon, I’m almost on the verge of collapse when I get a text message from Determined. “ I’m a proud new member of XYZ!!!” Sure enough, she’s done it. She’s gone through rush and joined her top choice! I am thrilled for her and already planning the gifts that I will send. At last, one of my daughters can do what I wasn’t able to…. stroll across the campus of the “University Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks” wearing a Greek letter tee!!!

By now, you do know this isn’t the end of the story, don’t you??

And now the rest of the story……

About 3 weeks go by and one afternoon I get a call from Determined. She has something to “tell” me. OH NO!! I’ve heard this before. Sure enough, she announces that she’s decided not to pledge XYZ. Once again I am stunned and speechless. Why won’t these daughters of mine just kill me quickly instead of little by little? So, I manage to croak out “Tell me WHY??” It turns out that in her experience, the sisters of XYZ were not as delightful as she had supposed. First, one sister told her that it while it wasn’t a “rule”, that NONE of their members would EVER date a guy in a certain fraternity. One of Determined’s guy friends from home had just pledged that house, so she was puzzled by the comment. When she asked why… Well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusions since ladies don’t say ANY of the words that would follow. Second, she was being really pushed to do EVERYTHING with either sisters or fellow pledges. By this time she was getting to know and love the girls on her hall and didn’t appreciate being “told” who she could hang with. And the last straw came when she was walking across campus with a close HS girlfriend who was pledging another sorority. The friend was wearing a shirt with her Greek letters. After they parted, a fellow XYZ pledge come up to Determined and said “I’m sure glad I didn’t have to settle for that house. What a bunch of LOSERS.” Determined said that she knew then and there that she had made the wrong choice and went to find the pledge mom to drop. What could I say? On one hand MY dreams of participating in Greek life (albeit vicariously) were at an end. On the other hand, how could I not support Determined in the difficult decision she made? Yes, you and I know that these were just random comments and didn’t reflect the opinions or attitudes of all the XYZs. Determined herself came to this same conclusion later her freshman year and remains friends with some girls in XYZ. But, she doesn’t regret her decision and still maintains it was the right one for her.

Determined will begin her sophomore year at the “University of Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks” next week. She’s living in the same dorm, on the same hall, with the same roommate. She has joined various campus groups and is studying Biology. She is planning to go to Med school in 3 years. You know what, I believe that she will! Just like her sisters Opinionated and Unpredictable, she has met lifelong sisters some of whom wear tees with Greek letters on them.


A final note……

Even though, none of my daughters ended up going Greek, I still believe and will ALWAYS believe that GLOs are a great way to give service to your school, community and of course to meet lifelong sisters. I think my best friend likes me to tell my tale to PNMs Moms so they will know that while being Greek at a large public University may give your daughter a place and a purpose, these things can also be found outside the Greek system. I like to tell the tale to remind myself that my dreams for my daughters are just that… mine. It’s their dreams for themselves that REALLY matter!

Since Opinionated, Unpredictable and Determined all knew that I wanted some Greek letter tees in the family, they decided to make that dream come true last Christmas. My 3 CRAZY daughters had tees made with the Greek letters of our “family” sorority. They proclaimed that we were the sisters of IHPi or in other words “I Eta Pi”. I suspect they only made me President so I would take charge of baking the pies.

I hope that all PMNs find their Greek homes during Rush this year and that ALL daughters know how much we (their Moms) love and support them.... no matter what!!

Cutest.

Story.

Ever!

Aww, what a great story! You actually make pies? My stomach is very interested in this I Eta Pi... :D

[QUOTE=FSUMummy;1502948]

Quote:

Now a word about Daughter #3. There is no other word to describe her except Determined. This is the kid who knows what she wants and makes plans that the Allies in WWII would have be proud of to accomplish it. She always has a goal and a plan. She NEVER goes into anything unprepared or without all the information available at her command. [/

This is my daughter as well (my only, and the oldest of two children) and she's only 13.

Mine too. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. :D

You are a fabulous mom and a great role model. Thank you SO much for sharing your story.

I was on the edge of my seat, had tears in my eyes, and was smiling as I read your saga. You have a wonderful writing style. Maybe you should think about writing for $. :)

Yes, I actually do make pies.

The only problem is that Opinionated is SURE she wants apple, Unpredictable THINKS that sounds great until she realizes that peaches are in season and Determined has gone to the store, bought the ingredients and PLANS for me to make pecan, her personal favorite!!:D

I am super sorry that greek life wasn't for your daughters. But, I commend you for not being pushy and letting them make their own decisions about it. Most moms would have forced their daughters to go through recruitment and accept a bid and follow through with the pledging process.

And, the IHPi is pretty awesome for a family greek group.

Great story!!! Thank you for sharing! :)

SUCH a cute story!!!!!!!!! i really enjoyed reading..

mmm pie!

That is the cutest thing I have ever heard! I Eta Pi! So where is this "University of Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks"?

Now I'm going to want regular updates. I'll bet all 3 of these gals have interesting lives!;)

That you so much for this story!

As the days approach for my daughter to begin recruitment, I find myself getting more and more drawn into the process. Just today, I was telling the hubby that I thought I was beginning to want this more than her. I even found myself in the AI thread!!!

Do all PNM Moms start to get a little nutty?

Since Daughter #2 and Daughter #3 still attend the University and Daugther #1 is a recent grad, I don't want to name names. Suffice it to say that my description could be about many of the BEAUTIFUL campuses that exist between Georgia and Maryland.

I hope all of you who are lucky enough to attended one of these schools LOVES every minute of it!

How could we NOT get more than a little nutty? After all, we are MOM. It's up to us to make sure our kids are never hurt or disappointed, isn't it? DAD may be about "letting the chips fall where they may" but MOM definately isn't!!

It's so HARD for Moms (and most of all I mean ME) to transform from a "parenting" role to an "advising" role. You mean I have to LET her make a mistake with a downside I can see coming from miles away??? You mean I can't TELL her the guy she's so taken with is COMPLETELY wrong for her??? Yes, that's exactly what I mean. It sure was easier when they were 2, 4 and 6. In those days MOM ruled and all had to bow to her wisdom!!

I hope your daughter has a wonderful time during rush and finds her Greek home at FSU. I promise that the NUTTINESS of rush will soon pass (and be immediately replaced with new nuttiness as is the lot of all MOMS everywhere). :D

Thanks so much to all of you who posted replies or PMd me that you enjoyed my Tale! Even though my dream of a daughter who wears Greek letters didn’t come true (at least not in the usual way) I don’t believe that our dreams ever really die. The ones we hold most dear travel with us, always changing and adapting to fit our current circumstances. In that spirit, I offer you one last (and future) chapter of the Tale of 3 Daughters……..

Some number of years from now, I’m walking through a campus with red brick sidewalks, under the towering oaks, past old red brick buildings holding the hand of my oldest Granddaughter. (Hey! You there! I can SEE you laughing. Please stop IMMEDIATELY!! This is MY dream and I’m allowed to dream up as MANY future pledges, I mean Granddaughters as I want!!).

As we walk along, a student is walking toward us. After she passes by, Granddaughter says “Grams, what were those WEIRD letters on that girl’s tee?”

“Those were Greek Letters” I will reply.

‘But what did they mean?” she’ll ask.

“They mean that girl is the member of a sorority here at the “University of Red Brick Sidewalks and Towering Oaks.”

Puzzled she asks, “A sorority? What’s that??”

“Well,” I say “ a sorority is a group of girls who get together and do wonderful things for their school and community. While they’re doing these things, they have fun and become lifelong sisters.”

“Were you in a sorority when you went to school here?” Granddaughter asks.

“No, I wasn’t, but I always dreamed I would be.”

“If you dreamed it, why didn’t you just MAKE it come true?? I ALWAYS dreamed that Mom and Dad would take me to Disney World and you DO remember where we went this summer on vacation, don’t you???”

“Yes, I remember. You may be a bit too young to understand this, but sometimes our dreams don’t come true or at least not right away or exactly how we dreamed them. When you’re older, I’ll tell you a story about sororities. It’s a story about me and your Mom and both your Aunts.”

At this point Granddaughter drops my hand and faces me with both hands on her hips. “Grams, I’m old enough to understand LOTS of things and I want you to tell me the story NOW!!”

Thinking how much she reminds me of my 3 Daughters at her age, I take her hand and as we walk away say “OK, Impatient, if you insist. Did I ever ever tell you I grew up in Florida?”

Best thread ever and I loved the "sequel" as well!!!!:D

This is the best rush thread ever! I loved the story, loved the writing and you made me laugh...and cry! And noone ever even joined a sorority in the end...and yet, everyone seems to be living happily ever after. There's a lesson there...

I'm crying--again!

ditto ditto ditto!

great thread. and now i'm hungry for pie!

I heart this thread. Let me know when the book comes out would ya? ;)

I'm wishing you three son-in-laws nicknamed Pragmatic, Loyal and Irresistable! (dole them out as you see fit, IHP!)

Thank you for your darling story!

Okay!................Enough Now!!
........."walking along holding my oldest granddaughters hand.......":o Neither of my sons is even dating anyone seriously and here you have me dreaming of my future granddaughters......................:p!!!

This thread was wonderfully written and a delight to read! You truely have a gift for story telling. Thanks for sharing!

This really was a fabulous thread!! And, I do commend you for not forcing any of your daughters to follow through with Greek Life. You always have to remember that Opinionated, Unpredictable, and Determined are going to make mistakes, but they have the greatest resource and place to fall in you.

please let me add my thanks to the rest for the wonderful story.