Thursday, July 26, 2012

The First and the Finest.

Many of you know that I am a member of the sorority Alpha Delta Pi.

What you don't know is why.

When I enrolled at CSUSB in Autumn of 2003 I came from a small private high school that had a graduating class of under 90 (you read that right-under 100 students in my senior class). It was pretty easy to be social and make friends when you had a class with almost everyone at one point or another.

Enter College. 17,000 students.

Commuter Campus.

People actually fight over a parking space.

How do you make friends?

My mother became worried about me after my first quarter of college. I grew introverted - which is a very uncharacteristic trait for me. I was sad. All of my friends attended colleges out of town and I was on my own. I needed to get involved on campus.

One day in January I walked past a table with two pretty girls manning a colorful display of blue and white funny looking (Greek) letters and a rediculous amount of pictures of the friendships I so dearly missed from high school. It was a feeling that I cannot compare to anything other than that of the moment my husband asked me to marry him - I just knew. As we started chatting I had a lot in common with the ideals of the organization. Philanthropy. Sisterhood. Leadership. It was everything I could ever ask for.

I learned a lot in the 4 years of active membership with ADPi. Word of advice: when you're on a job interview fresh out of college and someone asks you how you deal with difficult people, throw it out there that you were in a sorority with 40 women and you've honed your skills by directing recruitment. It's impressive - trust me.

I can't say that there isn't a favorite memory of college that doesn't include Alpha Delta Pi in one form or another. Those memories continue to transcend into my present by making new ones with old friends. This past weekend I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of an ADPi. I even introduced her to her fiance. Three of the 5 bridemaids in my wedding party are my sisters from college. These are relationships that have enriched my life for almost 10 years. I am truly blessed to be a part of the first and the finest.

We will now and always - live for each other.

1 comment:

  1. I completely agree with you. I think of ADPI as my college experience. 3 of my bridesmaids were adpi's and one of them I met through sorority life. & of course you too! I briefly went to a different college for a quarter and didn't know anyone and it sucked so bad!!! LOL I loved being on campus and saying hi to everyone and always meeting friends for lunch and class. It was a wonderful experience volunteering at the ronald mcdonald house and just learning how to be a woman during our weekly meetings! I was only involved for 2 years but it changed my life. PS I miss you Ashley!!! Let's do something, you tracy and I when I come to CA aug 4th weekend :)

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