Hello from Blue Angel!
 

Hi everyone!

I wanted to say hello to all of my future sisters! I'm scheduled to be a ZTA special initiate this spring. I was going to wait until it was "official" to introduce myself, but Penguin Trax was kind enough to invite me in to share my story.

I think I'm ZTA's longest pledge ever! I pledged at the University of Florida more than two decades ago...yeah, I'm THAT old! :) I LOVED ZTA.. everything about it-- the girls, the creed and the deep history about the fraternity! The moment I stepped into the Zeta house, I knew I was home.

But, I was also an athlete, and I received a scholarship offer to train with the finest school in the nation in my sport. There was no ZTA there. :(

I eventually did return to UF, but I was so involved in athletic competition and training, I didn't feel it was fair to the fraternity. The girls assured me it was OK, but I felt too guilty. I never depledged, but also never was initiated.

It has been the biggest regret of my life.

I've saved everything from ZTA. I still have my original bid, my pledge ribbon, my pledge book, my fraternity stationary, my lavalier, and my ZTA clothing items. It was such a special time in my life, I cherished them.

Three years ago, I was surfing the net, and found an Alumnae chapter in my state. Now that I'm established in my career, I thought I might be able to help mentor some of the college ZTA's. I also wanted to get involved with the philanthropy, and wondered if, even though I had never been initiated, I might be allowed to get involved in some way.

I received a call telling me that, yes, I could help.. but not only that, that it might be possible to be initiated! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this could happen!

It's been three long years since I first wrote my letter, and finally, I have received an initiation date! Can you imagine being able to go back and do something that you wished you had done the first time around?

This is so special for me, I can't even put it in words. The women in the Alumnae Chapter have welcomed me with open arms and have been so supportive. It was funny, the first time I met them, I felt that special bond I first felt when I walked into the UF house during rush. You just know when something's "right."

Much thanks goes to Penguin Trax and to a DG named CutiePie2000 who helped behind the scenes.

It's so good to finally be going back "home!"

Congratulations! That's so exciting! It's especially exciting since it's not often that ZTA does alumnae initiation. When is your initiation date and what chapter will you be initiated into? Make sure to keep us updated!

Welcome to our sisterhood! :D

welcome
 

blue angel to greek chat, and welcome back sister, to zta. i honestly got a lump in my throat reading your post. congratulations!!lisa

Hi ZTAngel,

So nice to meet you! I'm being initiated with a collegiate chapter, so I can't give out too many details. The PNMs don't know when their initiation date is, so I have to be careful not to disclose it. I don't want to ruin their surprise!

Thank you so much for the welcome! I'm excited to be here!

Hi Lisa!

What a sweet note. Thank you! I'm kind of choked up myself! :) I can't believe this is happening after all of these years.

I do realize how special this is, and am very grateful to the wonderful women who are making this happen for me.

I see you're a fellow Floridian. I had to move up north for career reasons, but plan to eventually return. I sure do miss the south!
Are you a native, or did you come to Florida for school and decide to stay?

Hi ZTAs! Sorry for barging in.. I just wanted to say that it's so good to hear an alumna initiation/special initiation story with a twist. Congratulations to you, and congratulations to ZTA!

I understand. Let us know whenever you can! I'm so excited for you!

I'm another Florida ZTA (UCF)!

I too got a lump in my throat while reading your post. Congratulations on your initiation! :D \^^^/

Screech.......
CRASH!
Hello my fellow Florida girl (Key West born here!) :D

What an awesome story! Congrats to you and congrats to ZTA!

/end crash

woo hoo!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

That is SO awesome, I am so happy that you are going to be wearing the crown........

post on the AI thread!!!

*crash crash*

That is a beautiful story, and I'm so happy for you! CONGRATS! :)

Congratulations! I also teared up as I read your story. I can't wait to hear about your initiation!!!! By far - my best memory as a ZTA.

I am sure you are going to make a wonderful sister! Welcome to ZTA and greekchat!

Meredith

PS - What sport were you so active in???

Way to go! Congratulations on finally realizing your goal to become a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha! I hope your initiation is all you hoped it would be!


.....Kelly :)

Sorry to crash....

What an awesome story!! Congratulations to you and to ZTA!!!


/crash

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Hi Sister Madly, Jill, Navene, BetaRose, Sister Havana, AUDeltaGam, Peanuttu, Ms Gwyn!

Wow.. I had no idea word would get around the other parts of Greek Chat so quickly! How nice of you to come by and send your well wishes. It means a lot to me... it really does! I am just blown away by the sweet thoughts. I'm going to print this whole thread out and put it in my new ZTA scrapbook!

You guys are really something special!

Hi Ztabachbum! Thank you for your kind wishes!

Hi Meredith!

I bet you would never have guessed the sport I was competing in... it was judo!

Years of competition have taken their toll on my body. I've had three knee surgeries, and really need two more-- because I have no ACLs in either knee! I don't compete anymore, but I teach on the side. I've got a terrific kids class...they are just too cute for words.. and will be adding women's self defense classes in the fall.

Blue Angel-

I was going to guess gymnastics!! I never would have guessed judo! I hear you on the knee surgeries - I have had seven on one knee!!!!

That is awesome. I am so happy for you!

Meredith

PS - I injured my knee jumping out of a go-kart (I was working.)...The doctor wondered how in the world I didn't do it BEFORE when I was a competitive gymnast. Those sports really take a toll on your body!

Hooray!
 

Blue Angel,


What a beautiful story!

Hooray! Congratulations to you! It's great to hear that you're finally going "home"!

I know that ZTA will be so happy to have you!

:D :D :D

Yaaaaaaaaaay! I just love stories like this that get me all teary-eyed. I'm so happy for you, Blue Angel! Welcome home!

-Meghan

What a wonderful story. Congratulations to you and Zeta!:)

blueangel
 

i am indeed a native floridian-8th generation. i grew up in north florida, near tallahassee, went to florida state, worked in jacksonville after college, met my husband in jax(he's a former navy pilot), he moved me to his native state of oklahoma, promising me if the opportunity ever arose he would move me back, and 8 years ago he did!! i am happy to be back. lisa

Congrats to you and ZTA!:)

Meredith:

I'm so sorry about your knee. SEVEN surgeries? My goodness.. and I thought I had it bad with three. I hope it's OK now.

I wanted to add that I'm very impressed that you were a competitive gymnast. I am in awe of anyone who is able to do what you did! It takes such courage and dedication to succeed in your sport.

Thanks, Trojangal.

I've been following your story, and am anxious to see an announcement from you as well soon!

Tippie Chick, GMU Bunny, BSP-Mich:

How sweet of you to write such kind notes! I am just overwhelmed at the support of the entire GC community.

I think what struck me the most upon reading the posts on GC (all around the message boards) is that everyone helps each other, and genuinely cares. It's a wonderful endorsement for Greek life!

Thanks again. I'm so looking forward to my initiation.

Tiny Dancer:

When things had stalled for me, you were the person who put me in touch with two women here who got the ball rolling again.
(Penguin Trax and CutiePie2000!)

I'll never forget you for that.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

FSU Zeta:

I worked in Jacksonville for a time too! But then I had to move up to the frigid north east for my career (BRRRR!). I'd move back in a second if I could. In fact, looking at your profile-- you live in the very place I always want to eventually relocate!

I'm familiar with Naples because my accountant moved there a few years ago and LOVES it!

pm
 

blueangel i have pm'd you.

congrats to you blueangle!!! it is so awesome that you kept zta in your heart all that time! enjoy your initiation, it has been a long time coming!

Thanks so much, Pinkyphimu!

* Crash..

Congrats & thanks for sharing your wonderful story! I was initiated as an alumnae by the Sac state chapter of A-Phi March 20, 2004.:D :) :D

That's wonderful, bsp-mich! Congratulations to you too!

My big date is a little over two weeks away! :)

I've been thinking about you lately, blueangel. I was wondering when your date was coming! Please be sure to come back and let us know how your special day went!:)

I think I can reveal now :)

I was keeping the date quiet because I am going to be initiated the same day as the college women...and I didn't want to spoil it for them if it was a surprise. But, I saw the date posted on the Alumnae Chapter site, so I think it's OK to spill the beans! I'm being initiated the weekend after next.... less than two weeks away!

I'm a little late in joining this discussion, but I just wanted to say congrats! I'm a ZTA at the University of Miami :) Welcome back to zeta!

Hi Layla:

Thanks for the welcome and warm wishes. So many Floridians on this board! :)

More details....

I'll be initiated this Friday. The big day is less than a week away, after more than two decades of first pledging....

It all seems so surreal!

I can't wait until you all are my sisters!