Melanie J. Pellowski - My Dearest Sister: A Heartfelt Guide to the Love, Friendship, and Lifelong Bonds of Sorority Life

Copyright 2018 by Melanie J. Pellowski

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jenny Zemanek

Cover illustration by iStock photo

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3881-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3882-9

Printed in China

To the strong women who had the courage to create something of their own by building a legacy through sisterhood;

to the mothers who are epic examples of strength and balance;

to the fathers who believe their daughters can be and do anything they dream;

to the brothers who respect and protect their sisters;

to the husbands who love, cherish, and celebrate their wives;

to the sisters created through grace and born in friendship;

to everyone who shares a passion for adventure;

these stories of girl power go out to you.

Table of Contents

My Dearest Sister

Some sisters are born into families, some are found in friendship, and others are forged by age-old traditions that emerged on college campuses centuries ago. We sorority girls dont buy our friendswe bond with thembecause strong women arent alone. We independent types werent isolated yesterday, we still arent today, and none of us will be tomorrow. Brainy chicks fighting gender roles in the early nineteenth century used to feel outnumbered on college campuses dominated by dudes. Thats not the case anymore, and perhaps thats thanks to the sisterhood ancient coeds believed was necessary. Like men, women arent only present in the classroom, at the office, and at home today. We are leaders, we have a voice, and, if were lucky, we have some cute letters that will always remind us of our college glory days spent gallivanting around with the sisters we found in friendship.

LETTERS

Sister. You are not only a strong woman, you are the strongest tie to the best years of my life. Whether its expressed via snail mail or in clever hashtags, our bond is not broken by an ever-growing and always evolving world; life changes only show just how much tradition means. We can better the lives of future girls like us by continuing to be ourselves and by helping one another stay true to those selves. We can do that by remembering what girl powers all about. Whether our letters are proudly sported on T-shirts that are still in our everyday rotation or if they are tucked safely away in our adult attics long after we graduate, they mean something, and they always will. They are branded on our hearts like an adorable tattoo well never regret.

LEGACY

Thanks for giving me a chance to show you just how awesome and fabulous I can be, sister, and thanks for believing in me as a person. As gal pals, we dont see just how cool we are now; we can laugh at how nerdy we once were or imagine how great well one day be. We are the real deal. Well inform one another (hopefully kindly), when a trendy haircut was a bad choice or when an eyeliner application was an epic fail. With cat eyes or as cat ladies, with or without makeup, while studying to become better or saddling up to prove it, when giggling and after panicking, whether our nails are done or when were just done, period , with whatever drama is brewing, weve seen what makes each other break and what makes us shine.

YOU KNOW ME

You are my conscience, my partner in crime, my classroom companion, and the support system I know I need in the real world. Our friendship is bound to grow like the flower that reminds us of our sorority chapter, and thats the beauty of our relationship; it does not depart with the seasons, but it is reborn each time we embrace new chapters that have yet to be written. Our futures may not be certain, but we can take comfort in knowing our college stories are lasting. They will always remind us of the good times we shared and the laughter that lit up our nights, early mornings, and stressful schedules cluttered with classes.

WRITTEN FOR US

There is no need to stress about the term papers we dont have time to write. Our lives will write themselves. We can read and edit them at our leisure. It doesnt matter where we end up. I know how our friendship began. Thank you for being there for all of it. Thank you for helping me through the good times and the bad by picking me up when I was down, waking me up when I slept through my alarm, and keeping me up when you had gossip you knew I couldnt resist.

TRADITION

Our paths are linked by legacy and tradition. Becoming a grown-up is toughbeing an adult is more like an acting gig were trying to master with no formal training. Wherever we are in life, staying true to our friendship and the bonds we built in sisterhood may not always be as simple as opening the door to the sorority house for a chapter meeting, though its safe to say we cant forget just how much walking through that door means in the grand scheme of our paths in life.

CHAPTERS

Our sorority chapter is just one story among many. The pages of sisterhood are composed of strong female characters, funny sidekicks, and inspiring heroines. Were the best of friends, but we each have our own life story. Its not written in our bylaws that I am your sidekick or you are mine. We are each others supporting characters. Depending on the day, you might be in my story or I might be in yours. The important thing is that we both realize and respect that its not always about us. In fact, as life goes on, it will be less about us and more about other stuff. Friendships evolve, and thats why we should identify this treasured time as a chapter to hold dear.

A LIFELONG PLEDGE OF SISTERHOOD

Girl power isnt an idea, its a reality built on the experiences we have had and the trust we have established. Putting on a pretty face, paying dues, and participating in philanthropic pursuits is only part of the deal. In between these pages, lifelong friendships are born and continue to thrive. Thank you, my dearest sister, for reminding me that I am strong, inspiring me to be kind, leading me to pursue my dreams, helping me see how important it is to help others, encouraging me to grow in my own unique ways, and promising to be my friend in college and long after. I aspire to be the best sister I can bewherever we end upthis is my heartfelt pledge of sisterhood.

My Dearest Sister

This is our sorority:

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