Oh Sweetness

I was in a sorority in college. Its sort of weird to graduate and realize that in the real world not everyone knows what different sororities were like at your school or even what the greek system was like. Since my school was small, rush was not a big deal (at least until you got on the other side and spent hours making hair ribbons. yeah.) It also wasn't a huge deal to rush or not rush and there were no houses, just halls. Pre-college my idea of a sorority was part "Legally Blonde," part "Mean Girls," and part "Animal House" and I'm pretty sure if I had gone to a bigger school I would have run in the opposite direction.

Yep. Totally not one of those girls.

I'm not even one of those people who creepily have everything they've ever owned emblazzoned with their letters, including their bodies. I mean I still wear the t-shirts because really can you ever have enough t-shirts? And even though I was voted "Most likely to have a secret dolphin tattoo" I can assure that I do not. And a dolphin? This is not 1998. But really I treasure those 4 years of delta-ness because of the incredible friends it brought into my life. I won't be all sappy and talk about how all of my best friends are really sisters and such- its just that it was a way for me to meet certain girls who changed my life. And this post is for one such girl..

I met Allison at the Student Activities Fair my freshman year when students new to the Furman bubble walk around and learn about all the different organizations. Fresh off the overwhelming, over-committedness that was my senior year, I wasn't ready to jump head first into too much. But of course all of the sororities are out there and you have the chance to meet some girls in the most un-awkward way (kidding!). But Allison bounded right up to me, introduced herself, and we bonded over our mutual names. And that was it. I knew I wanted to be a Tri-Delt. Seems silly to base that off of one person but I had met some other girls, she just really cemented it. I remember my mom commenting on how nice she was when she introduced herself at Family Weekend. Oblivious to "rushing," I just wanted to be that girl's friend.

So rush rolls around and long story short, I went Tri-Delt and waiting for me on Bid Day was Allison, giving me a huge hug. Fact: her hugs are awesome and the way to my heart is through good hugs.

Homecoming my senior year- this hug lasted a good 10 minutes.

I loved her joy and zest for life, her always matching-ness, her love of pink that matches my obsession with all things turquoise, our intense love for our dogs (her pugs and pomeranian, my labs and dachshunds). I knew I wanted her to be my big sister and when I got a matching brown headband with polkadots with one of my gifts? Yeah I thought it might be her. This is also when we officially founded the pink princess family that continues to this very day.

The thing I love most about our friendship is that it always went beyond being in the same sorority or having a mutual love of Disney Princesses (she likes Belle, I like Ariel) but she was an incredible friend. Fiercely loyal, encouraging, goofy at the right times and always a shoulder to cry on. Her love for Jesus is inspiring as is her optimism and her contagious giggle/laugh we all love.

An excellent depiction of our goofiness and love of all things delta.

Y'all thought I was kidding about the princesses? Nope.

Her friendship is one of my favorite things about college. So of course when she called me to tell me about her engagement I sort of freaked out. And by freaked out I mean I squealed a whole lot in the middle of my buildings laundry room (guess who's neighboors still think she's a little crazy?!?!). It was the most wonderful call (and you should read about it on her blog! http://allicatrenfro.blogspot.com/)! We both kissed a few frogs in college and cried right along with one another, so to see a dear friend find that forever love is kind of a big deal. Like dance around your living room big deal. As I told her, she is proof that there is love, real love, outside of the Furman bubble. I could not be delighted for a more wonderful lady for she soon surpassed big sister into real sister in my heart. I know that not only will she have a beautiful and joy filled wedding, she will also have a beautiful and happy marriage. As she plans her wedding, I have also mentally decided that her pom, Chewie deserves a wedding portrait as well. Did you know that when pomeranians are the chocolate color they are instantly 12 times cuter? Seriously, Google Image it- those things are cuuuute.

So for you my pink, sparkling, lawyer princess, I am so so happy you found your prince charming!

Freshman initation-we look so little!