Warning: Long post!
Being from the north, I knew nothing about sororities or fraternities. None of my family had ever been in one, and literally nobody I knew had any relatives who were Greek. I was totally unfamiliar with the concept.
In fact, when I was moving in to the dorms at the University of Florida, I remember seeing a pillow on my new roommate's bed before she arrived and asking someone-- what does that "upside down V" X and A stand for? Turns out she was a little sister at Lambda Chi Alpha!
I had a gang of friends in the dorms, and wasn't interested in rushing. I didn't even know what rush meant. I was too busy with my school work, my dorm buddies-- and training and competing in my sport.
A friend asked me to go through rush with her, so, reluctantly I said yes to keep her company. I have to admit, I was a little bit curious to see what all the fuss was about. Much to my surprise, I was VERY impressed with what I saw and heard.
So here I was, a Yankee in an SEC school with no clue. I had no recs, no nothing. I just chatted at the rush parties and enjoyed meeting everyone. Of course I did some stupid things-- like-- when there was a lull in the conversation at one house, I asked a sister what one of the symbols on the shield meant. OOOPS! Hey... I didn't know those things were secret.. and I was just being friendly!
When I walked in to the Zeta house, I knew I was home. I just loved it! I loved the girls and everything the Zetas stood for. Being a pledge was amazing. There was so much love and support in the house.
I enjoyed eating dinners at the house and making so many new friends. But, I also was very busy training, and missed a lot of Zeta activities. The sisters were WONDERFUL.. and were very understanding. They encouraged my training, and told me not to feel guilty because I had to go to practice and miss an event.
Then... at a competition I was in, I was offered a scholarship to a school which had the best team in my sport in the country.. Unfortunately, they didn't have Zeta. What a dilemma! I was just torn apart.. how could I leave a school I loved, and all these wonderful girls? But, I had to go after my sports dream. I never de-pledged, and..in fact, remained a pledge for 20 some-odd years. My biggest regret was that I never was initiated. It tore me apart for many, many years!
Fast forward to three years ago. Much to my delight, I found a Zeta alumnae chapter in my area. I contacted them wondering if I could help mentor a Zeta in college, assist with the philanthropy, and be involved in some way. Much to my shock and amazement, I received a call telling me that yes, I surely could help the chapter and I also could get initiated!
I never knew there was such a thing as alumnae initiation! Last month, after 20 years of being a pledge, I finally was initiated. I can't even begin to express how amazing it is to be given the opportunity to complete something that I always wanted to do! How many times do you get to do something you wished you had done the first time around??? I love Zeta and enjoy everything about it. I think it's even more special to me because I was welcomed home after all these years!
It is true what they say... Zeta really IS forever!