My Extended Family

College is a home away from home, a place wrapped up in fun and work and fellowship. Friends make all the difference in one's life and when you have an extended family of them, it's even better. Some approach college as a way to simply get a degree or as one big party. The truth of the matter is that college has to be a mix.

College, with all of its ups and downs, hardships and fun, is a tough time and having an extended family makes a big difference in how your experience is going to go. I started out college ready to have a balance of friends and work, but I didn't know the meaning of an extended family.

Over my time at college, my closest friends have become my extended family (you know who you are. :) and trust me, I know because I know you read this blog.) However, it took me until this year to find the rest of my family. Now, dear follower, you may be very confused at this post and I feel I am rambling a bit. But here's the blunt out truth, I am as of this past Sunday, an official pledge for Alpha Phi Omega. I could not be happier.

APO is not directly attached to Greek Life so don't start going around "AHHH she joined a sorority!" APO is so different. Not only are we co-ed and have less dues, but we're really focused on community service and family.

Now the definition of family in this instance isn't just the metaphorical type. For those of you who don't know how APO runs, we are like a typical frat in the sense of bigs and littles, grandbigs and grandlittles included. So really when we say we're a big family, we are.

I love my Big. I may have only known him about 2 weeks now (ish) but we click and it's a good Big/Little combo. But my family isn't just him. My grandbig was just as excited to have me as a grandlittle as my Big was to have me as a Little. The whole frat is intertwined. (We figured out today I'm one girl's great great grandniece.)

We operate like a family, like a group. We all have our differences, but I know as I step out of my room in the morning with my pledge pin on exactly what I represent. I'm proud to say I'm an APO pledge and eventual Brother.

I found what was missing in my college experience and I'm so happy to have found it right before it was too late. <3 p="p">