Phi Mu

As I look back over my college years I have realized just how important that Phi Mu has meant to me. I went to college only knowing my roommate and several other people from Belmont. It was a big scary world and a lot different from the comfort zone that I was used to. My roommate, Jessica Smith, really wanted to go through recruitment and I wanted to meet people so I decided to do it as well. Recruitment in 2002 was like the 3rd week of school, which all in all was very overwhelming with the amount of school work that I suddenly had. Recruitment for me was a big whirlwind. I felt like people were everywhere and I was meeting them very fast. I had to mark different sororities off of my list night by night and hope that the ones that I wanted also wanted me as well. I just decided that being myself was the only key. The last night my final two choices were Phi Mu and Alpha Delta Pi. I would have been happy with ADPi but I knew that Phi Mu was right for me. Bethany Sessoms read several of her favorite Bible verses to me and I knew that I could have not only a group of girls that I could be close to but also people that I could go to church with. Growing up and throughout my life church and religion have been very important to me. I wanted to maintain this throughout college as well.

I joined that September and then was initiated on November 22, 2002. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I have the greatest big sister who I still keep in touch with today. Her name is Kimme Hedrick Lehmann. She was married in Greensboro and I had the privilege of being able to go to the wedding. She then lived in Australia for several years and is now moving to the west coast to live. I am glad that we'll have her back in the US. She has touched my life in many ways and I know that she is out there in the mission field touching many other lives as well. Through Phi Mu I met several of my bridesmaids and if I could have everyone that I ever loved through my sorority in my wedding I would have had hundreds of bridesmaids and I'm sure that Josh never would have gone for that in a million years. I had many great roommates that were Phi Mu's. Lindsay Pegram and Tiffany Honeycutt to be exact. Both had spots in my wedding and I'm also going to be in Lindsay's wedding in May. Where has the time gone? Before I married Josh I found out that his mother is a Phi Mu as well. She went to Ole Miss in Mississippi but we are sisters and also mother-in-law/daughter-in-law. I think that this is a very special bond.

Phi Mu was founded in 1852 on January 4th by Mary Myrick Daniel, Mary Dupont Lines, and Martha Hardaway Redding. In 1852 the word sorority didn't exist yet which in turn makes us called Phi Mu Fraternity instead. The flower is a rose carnation. The mascot is a lion, Sir Fidel. Sir Fidel is named for our open motto, "Les Soeurs Fideles" which means the faithful sisters. It was founded in Macon, Georgia. The colors are rose and white. It's nice to keep these things in mind.

Sisterhood

You cannot see sisterhood, neither can you hear it nor taste it. But you can feel it a hundred times a day. It is the pat on the back when things look gloomy. It is the smile of encouragement when the day seems hard. It is the helping hand when the burden becomes unbearable. It is the sister who says 'I care."

A sorority is more than letters on a jersey, more than traditional songs, a golden badge, rituals, an obligation, or a way of life. A sorority is learning about people. A sorority is giving without expecting a return. A sorority is earning respect from others, as well as for yourself. A sorority will not solve your problems. But I have made good friends and found confidence there, to help me take life one step at a time.

Sisters always know the perfect thing to do. They can make your whole day just by saying something that no one else could have said. Sometimes you feel like the bunch of you share a secret language that others can't tune into. Your sisters can guide you, inspire you, comfort you, or light up your life with laughter. Your sisters understand your moods and nurture your needs. Your sisters lovingly know just what you're after. When your feelings come from deep inside and they need to be spoken to someone you don't have to hide them, you share them...with your sisters. When good news comes, your sisters are the first ones you turn to. When feelings overflow and tears need to fall, your sisters help you through it all. Your sisters bring sunlight into your life. They warm your life with their presence whether they are far away or close by your side. Your sisters are a gift that bring happiness and a treasure that money can't buy.

A sister is one to share dreams with and one to grow with. One to share both the sweet and the bittersweet moments with. And one to have and hold close to your heart forever. Each sister represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive and it is only by this meeting that a world is born.