True words. The AOPi Badge provides some incredible opportunities for drool-worthy bling. The vintage badges are some of the most beautiful fraternal pins around. Check out the threads here.. maybe some kind GCer can link them for you. I am not very good on the search, but wowser, they are pretty.

Fabulous story. So good in fact, when I wasn't laughing at your humor, my stomach was hurting reading about your anxious moments/hours. Debbie is a lucky girl to have a mom like you. I'll bet she'll do just swimmingly at Oklahoma State.

Thank you for sharing. I was you one year ago. My daughter had many of the same experiences as Debbie and I was definitely you. Fast forward to this week and I just moved my daughter back for her second year at UT. She couldn't be happier. I know it was a bumpy road for the first month or so but now she can't imagine being anywhere else. She has a great group of friends and is so happy. Now, Instead of crying about recruitment, she barely has time to call because she is so involved with her chapter and her friends. I know Debbie will do great. Please keep us posted. You write so well. Thank you.

Lovethesand I want you to know that I read your posts today and felt so moved by them that I shared them with my mother. I know that in any situation in which I am filled with self-doubt, she is having the same kinds of interior monologues you described. It made me feel so overwhelmed with love for my mom. Thanks for that. I really enjoyed your writing and sincerely hope AOII is treating your daughter well!

Loved reading your story! I'm an alumna who graduated in 2004, no children yet, but your story brought several tears to my eyes (should not have read this at work!). You're a terrific writer and Debbie's story is definitely not uncommon. I'm always secretly glad to read stories that, although aren't perfect, still have somewhat happy endings. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us!

Great story! Many of us GC'ers had daughters that felt the same way on Bid Day, for various reasons. And it can be heart wrenching to experience. I think that your daughter will be just fine. In fact, I think that she has just embarked on one of the best experiences that she will have in college! Congrats to your daughter on finding her letters!

Thank You
 

Thank you all for your interest in Dark Side mom's story (oh, and Debbie's). Thank you for your encouragement and understanding. Tried to explain to my non-Greek friend with younger kids and she thought I was crazy. Thank you for the writing compliments - I give all the credit in the world to fantastic English teachers in high school and college.

Debbie is like a bungee dive. She had that initial drop that freaked her out but she's stopped falling, she's slowly swinging, enjoying the sights, and realizing "hey, that wasn't so bad". Debbie's been shopping with some of her AOII girls. She's also been hanging out with some of the PNMs she went through recruitment with. Now that everybody made it through, they're all sharing more of their details and lo and behold, recruitment was a roller coaster for everybody.

I was telling Debbie about a girl who SIP'd because she lost her early favorite. Debbie said, "You spend less than a half a day with any of the houses during recruitment. How can you really know them or anybody else?" I'm too busy picking myself up from the floor to respond. Debbie says, "Got to go, mom, love you." 5 minutes later a text comes through "don't worry about me, I'm happy". Sometimes these kids....

Bumping because this is a fabulous story!

And recruitment at OSU starts one week from today! Lovethesand, maybe you can give us an update on Debbie, especially as she goes through rush on the other side?

Here is the OSU 2013 Recruitment guide:

http://union.okstate.edu/panhellenic...ntBook2013.pdf

^ That guide is wonderful! Love how they quote desired GPAs per chapter, both high school and college. And they are honest about recs, they give good advice on clothing and emphasize going where you feel best.

Debbie survived freshman year and more importantly so did I:) She left for work week last week and I only teared up a little which is a big improvement for me. I still miss her:( Debbie made the Dean's Honor Roll both semesters which is kind of ironic considering her GPA issues graduating HS (when I say GPA issues I mean higher than 3.0 but lower than 3.5).

OSU - she LOVES this school. The students, the professors (except 1), BPS, GIA, the Tumbleweed, everything. She says she has absolutely no regrets about going to OSU and she could not wait to go back to Stilly (and Eskimo Joe's) last week. Stillwater may not be too big but it definitely grows on you.

AOII - she had a rocky recruitment (as her story shows) but she is very happy at AOII. Nothing like hours of pomping to get your feet wet in greek life and OSU takes pomping quite seriously. She has a great big who is a true AOII inspiration and a true sister. She has made some great friends within her pledge class and she feels they are sisters in every sense of the word. Debbie is very active in her sorority and happy. She's happy they'll have a gorgeous new house next year and is excited to live in the house. Debbie and her sisters can't wait and they think it will definitely help with recruitment.

Regrets - a very close friend is in Coronado and while I don't think she misses Coronado I do think she would've liked to be sisters with her friend. There is the occasional less than positive comment from others because they're a new sorority and don't have a house. I told her that is not unusual and all she and her sisters can do is keep moving forward with enthusiasm and class. Time will tell.

My parental words of wisdom - there will be some definite hurt feelings during recruitment. It's the nature of the beast. Parents can best serve their daughters by remaining calm, lending an ear, and saying the magical words at the magical time (good luck figuring that out). Daughters can best be served by remembering this too shall pass and above all keep an open mind.

Closing words: Recruitment starts this Sunday - let the games begin. GO POKES!

Bumped because OSU recruitment just started!

And the weather forecast for Stillwater the next 4 days? 99, 102, 102, 102. Man, I remember those days!

So is Debbie a senior? I would love an update from lovesthesand.