Sorority rush is one of the most stressful experiences for any college student, particularly at a competitive university like the University of Kentucky. It is the closest many of us mamas will get to seeing our precious daughters enter a figurative beauty pageant, where their looks are on display for all the world (most importantly, the frats) to see ... and judge.
Not only does the face need to be perfectly made up with no blemishes, but the body tan and svelte, clothes stylish but comfortable, nails done, shoes to perfection, HAIR highlighted and either straightened or gently wanded (that means curled), and teeth whitened. And of course, one must be charming and poised, with a stellar reputation and excellent grades, and must come across as interested but not too eager. A tall order, given that almost every girl/PNM is sure to fall ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE with that one special house on the first day and want soooo badly to be a part of that sisterhood.
Shew! Let the nail biting begin...
For an entire week, this mama lived and breathed sorority rush. Even though I told my daughter a hundred times not to stress, to relax and enjoy the process, to let the Lord guide her, to not listen to what her friends thought regarding top tier, mid tier, and all of that nonsense, but to go with the house that WANTED her because of the fabulous person she is ... there was a part of me that didn't believe a single word of that diatribe! Rush is important -- really, really important --- especially to girls like my daughter who are social leaders and thrive on being around people. And so the stress (and worry?) kicked in.
I started my angst by double checking the dates in the Panhellenic brochure and confirmed the schedule for each round, then reviewed my rec list, making sure I hadn't missed an important house. In my mind, I cateloged the potential outfits that my sweetie and I shopped for prior to rush, wondering which ones she would choose for each party. I stressed over her pink nail color (was it too bright?) and how she might wear her hair, worried about the frat boys jeering at her as she sprinted from house to house, and tried not to imagine her tripping on her wedges and skinning her knee.
Would the white Bid Day dress that had been so carefully hand washed and steamed still be clean and unmussed by the time bids were issued? Ugh! Would she get the house of her dreams or would she have to settle for a sorority she didn't really like? Oh, Lord, what if she got dropped by all of the houses and wouldn't even make it to Bid Day? What if no one wanted her? More UGH!
I prayed about it, dreamt about it, scoured the Internet for clues (as if that would help!), did some stalking on social media, and even perused the dreaded greekrank.com! But as Pref Night loomed before me, the stress never abated and the waiting became unbearable. Would she call me up, sobbing, or would I get the elated text message that she was still in the hunt for her favorite houses?
Some of you many be rolling your eyes, but for those of you out there who have been through the process with your daughter, you lived this as well, even if you don't want to admit it! I know it sounds ridiculous and is slightly embarrassing and a little shameful, but there is something about sorority rush that makes us mamas revert back to the insecure school girl. My husband watched the entire process and shook his head, trying to remain supportive. It seems that every conversation we had during that week (and the weeks immediately preceding) involved sorority rush and the pros and cons of Greek life.
Fortunately, for my daughter, she did get the house of her dreams, ADPi, which was the sorority she absolutely fell in love with on day one. When she sent me this picture, I burst into tears with relief - I had no idea the amount of stress I had been under.
I want what my kids want, and I want it badly for them and will move heaven and earth to get it for them, if possible. But in this case, I couldn't go to a store and buy it or dig around on the Internet and purchase if from EBay, or even come up with my own DIY version -- I had to sit back and let the process work. And it did.
Double shew!
Now that the stressful part is over, the fun begins. Parties, tailgates, formals, sisterhood, leadership, philanthropy, and all the wonderful blessings that come from being part of a sorority where one "fits" and can make a difference.
I liken it to a baby coming through the birth canal; the process is temporary and grueling, but the end result is well worth it!
Enjoy these pics!
