Blue Angel's News!
 

I have some wonderful news! I have an initiation date!

Some of you already know, because I posted a letter of introduction over at the sorority-specific boards at the invitation of one of the board moderators. I was going to wait until after my initiation, but she felt that it was OK to introduce myself to the board since I have an initiation date.

I thought I was being low-key, but much to my surprise, word spread around Greek Chat! I must say, I am absolutely blown away and touched by all of the well-wishes and congratulations I have received from people belonging to all different sororities on Greek Chat! This truly is a wonderful community! I'm saving all of the posts and putting them in my new scrap book.

Things were in motion for about 2 and a half years-- but hit a bit of a stall. I did a Google Search on Alumnae Initiation and stumbled upon GC's AI board. I didn't even know this community existed until I was well into the AI process. It was so helpful and inspiring to read the AI experiences of others.

Thanks to Tiny Dancer, CutiePie 2000 and Penguin Trax for your help! I was so impressed that people of different sororities would care enough to go out of their way for me. I wanted to recognize them here so you could all see what wonderful women they are. Again, thank you Tiny Dancer, Cutie Pie and Penguin Trax!!!

So... here it is... my news....

I'm going to be initiated into Zeta Tau Alpha this spring!

I know some of you are curious, but I can't reveal exactly when and where-- as I'm going to go through collegiate initiation. As I'm sure you understand, I don't want to spoil the surprise date for the college girls.

I had promised you my story, so here is what I wrote over at the ZTA board...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 to 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!"

<happy dance>


Say, I changed your listing on the AI Roll Call thread! :D


.....Kelly :)

Oooh! You did! I just looked! Thank you!

I sait it in the Zeta Thread and I will say it again here...

CONGRATULATIONS


I know that you are just dying to wear that crown......it has been a long journey and you are finally home....woo hoo!

I know how that feels and I wish you all the best, enjoy your initiation day and wonderful new sisters.

to take a qoute from a song that I'm sure some zeta's are familar with:

Zeta Tau Alpha they're fantastic !!!!!!

Congratulations blueangel on your upcoming initiation! :)

Yay!!! (does happy dance for Blueangel) Congrats :)

WOO HOO!!:)

Congratulations! :)

While it may have been a long time in coming, the end is near and one can only say:



Congratulations to you and The Sisters of ZTA!


Enjoy the fruits of Your Labors and will make it that much more meaningful!:cool:

:D :D :D

Once again, i am glad to see that you will soon be with your ZTA sisters officially. I know some ZTAs from my job, and they are fine women!

Glad you're going "home" and will be wearing your crown!

Cheryl

Trojanangel, Tom Erp, Aeph Alum, Tiny Dancer, Tau Alumna, Jocelyn C, Polar Pi, Ms_Gwyn:

Your words and well wishes mean so much to me. Thank you!

Congratulations! I am so happy for you! :)

My warmest congratulations to you blueangel!! Stories like yours give the rest of us the hope that our dreams of sister/brotherhood will be realized too!

There aren't any ZTAs in my area of the country that I'm aware of, but I'm sure they're a fabulous group. They must be, for you to stay so true all these years!

Congratulations again!

Hi Sister Havana!

I'm counting the days!

Thank you, Lake. Hang in there! I know it's difficult, as I've been there myself. It's truly a roller coaster ride. There were times that I thought it would never happen. (I still won't believe it until after I'm actually initiated!)

My advice to you is to ask for help on the GC board when you need it. I did, and three very wonderful ladies served behind the scenes as my mentors, advisors and cheerleaders. Two of them weren't even from ZTA!

There is definately a sisterhood/brotherhood among all sororities/fraternities on GC.

Congratulations on finding your way HOME! I'm so happy for you..... :D

Girlfriend I am SOOOO excited for you! You just don't know! (I must stop jumping around and singing "She has a date!") :D

Wear the hell outta that crown girl! And go for the BLING baby!

(I love this one)
http://www.mastersofdesign.com/image...t/img1-362.jpg

Congrats again!

Thanks CutiePie. And you know that you were very instrumental in getting things moving for me again. You're a wonderful friend.

OMG JILL!!!!! THAT'S the EXACT badge I am going to order! How did you know?????!!!!! This is just too much of a coincidence!!!!

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm very, very excited!

Dahling, great minds think alike! :D This is the badge I would have picked! It is hella gorgeous! We have great taste!

I knew I liked you for some reason! :D

The bling is beautiful!!!!


I know you can't wait until you can wear it!

I finally ordered my badge, and received a followup phone call from IO, so I think it's time to reveal to you all that I will be initiated the weekend after next.

I still can't believe it! :)

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A big congratulations to you!

Tonight's the Night!
 

This will be my last post in Greek Chat as an independent. :)

Tonight I will be initiated.

It has been more than two decades since I pledged Zeta Tau Alpha. I must have had the longest pledge period in ZTA history!

Tonight, my dream is finally coming true. I'm coming home.

Thank you to the GC Community for all of your support.

Special thanks to TinyDancer, Cutie Pie2000 and Penguin Trax for helping me get things moving again when everything had stalled.

CutiePie2000 has been with me through all of the ups and downs, and has steadfastly stood by with advice and encouragement. She is someone I have become very close to though we're geographically far away. CutiePie is a DG-- which shows that sisterhood bonds transcend throughout the entire Greek Community.

And to FSUZeta. We've only just begun our friendship, and I'm so looking forward to being able to call you "sister." Thank you for taking me under your wing, and for the wonderful surprise box you sent! I'll cherish everything and our new friendship!

congrats blue angel....

i hope tonight was everything you hoped for!!

blueangel, my thoughts have been with you all week as I knew you were going to be initiated this weekend. I am so happy for you and hope your initiation night was a wonderfu, beautiful experience for you.

Congratulations on your new life in ZTA!

:)

Congrats to you, sweetie! I bet we can't wipe the grin off your face :D

Congratulations on your initiation into Zeta Tau Alpha!

May this be the first of many happy memories for you and the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha!!

I just wanted to say a big, humungous CONGRATULATIONS to blueangel who was initiated in ZTA last night and is now a FULL FLEDGED ZETA!!! Yippee!

I am so thrilled and happy for you. Now you get to wear your badge...it is so PRETTY!
http://www.zetataualpha.org/images/symbols/crown.gif http://www.zetataualpha.org/images/s...CrestColor.gif
http://www.mastersofdesign.com/image...t/img1-362.jpg

Thank you also to Barbara for all her wonderful help, sage advice and wisdom!

Thank you also to blueangel's "big sister". (you know who you are!) I know that it means the world to blueangel to have a big sister as wonderful as you! :D

Congratulations Blue Angel and Zeta Tau Alpha!!


.....Kelly :)

Wow, ZTA's badge really is pretty. I never really looked too closely at it before, but now that I actually KNOW a ZTA, I did!!

Congrats again!! Does your face still hurt from smiling?

:)

Congratulations on your initiation! I know it will be one of your happiest memories (it is mine!:) ) I remember running into the hall with all the collegiates who were initiated with me and yelling "I've waited 30 years for this!!"

Congrats, sister!

BLUEANGLE, has to be in Big Letters. Fantastic. and Congratulations to You and Zeta Tau Alpha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cool:

Cannot give a Big enough Just A HUZZA to Both!:)

Thank you!
 

Thanks so much to everybody who has followed my story and given me such tremendous support. This community is incredible!

The ceremony was beautiful! It was so special and meaningful.

The college chapter of Iota Iota went out of their way to make me feel welcome and at ease, since I was the only non-collegian there.

It was well worth waiting for all of these years. How many times in life do we get a chance to do something we regretted not doing so many years ago?

I am truly blessed.

Zeta is forever.

Congratulations, blueangel!!!

I have to ask - are you going to be TealAngel now???? ;)

:D

Actually, the name "Blue Angel" came from my old CB Radio Handle (I can hear the younger set saying, "What's a CB?). During college, I had a second-hand BLUE 1967 Mustang (no, I'm not THAT old!) and thought up the name after seeing a Blue Angels airshow.

BTW, I still have the Mustang, restored it, and now it's red! It's become my "keep it in the garage and drive it only on nice days" car.

congratulations on your initiation!!!

Hooray for your special day! I hope you'll be able to share what pictures you can with us!


:D :D :D

--Cheryl

Congratulations to you Blueangel! :)