As many of you know, I am in my final weeks of finishing my undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University. And as many of you could imagine, I have had a crazy and abrupt ending to my college experience.

(If you want to read my thoughts and emotions from when the university announced they were closing, here is a link to my school newspaper opinion piece I wrote: Column: It still sucks (3/28/20))

Anyway, even though yes I am still extremely emotional, angry and upset at the situation that I am in… I am trying to focus on the positive and all that Southeast and college gave me.

Now, let’s begin…

I would have never ever pegged myself as a sorority girl.

The chanting… the glitter… the posed pictures…

Those three things alone were enough to scare me away from Greek Life.

And if it wasn’t for my roommate and a very persistent friend who lived on my floor freshmen year, I would have never even signed up to go through recruitment.

Now, sitting here four years later I am genuinely so THANKFUL because Tri Delta has brought me more than I ever could have imagined and it has undoubtedly been one of my hardest goodbyes.

You might be one of those people rolling your eyes because you think that I “paid” for my friends or because you think that I am being dramatic and it is just all of the stereotypes you hear about… but you could not be more wrong.

Throughout this experience, Tri Delta has brought me so many unique, confident and empowering women who completely changed my life.

I found a friend that will FOREVER keep me on my toes.

I found a friend that has the absolute biggest heart and sweetest soul.

I found a friend that I will forever be able to rely on in all aspects of my life.

I found a friend that has been THROUGH it, yet continues to set an example for all of us other women.

I found a friend that pushes me and challenges me to be the best version of myself.

I found a friend that doesn’t just accept things the way they are but instead does her part to change it for the better.

I found a friend who just doesn’t give a shit about the materialistic things but cares about the things that truly matter.

I found a friend who always speaks it how it is, even when you don’t want to hear it.

I found a friend who will always make me laugh.

I found a friend who is so intelligent and will change the world someday.

I found a friend who continues to fight to find herself and encourages others to do so as well.

I found a friend who no matter how hard things get, I know if I needed her she would be there.

I found a friend who stands up for what she believes in.

I found a friend who is so creative, we all wished we had her talents.

And within all of these friends and so many more, I found this sisterhood.

A sisterhood that believed in me. Encouraged me. Supported me. Provided me with resources and assistance when it was needed. A sisterhood that presented me with challenges and obstacles that I had to endure and conquer so that I could grow as an individual and as a leader.

A sisterhood that eventually allowed me to find a woman that I am so lucky that I found… me.

Tri Delta changed my world.

It not only gave me my best friends, best memories and bridesmaids, but it also allowed me to find myself even when I didn’t know that was what I needed.

Yes, there are things that I will forever be upset that I missed like my last philanthropy event, last greek week and last chapter… but the memories and people that I will forever have because of this experience outweighs that completely.

When they say this isn’t just four years, that it’s for life… they mean it.