“You Just Pay for Your Friends”

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When I tell people I’m in a sorority they like to respond with petty jokes. I’m sure we have all heard it before; the high pitch voice that mockingly says, “aw sisters,” My personal favorite is being told that I “am just paying for my friends.” I usually just laugh awkwardly and try to explain the process of paying dues.

Yes, we do pay money to be in the sorority, these are called dues. The dues we pay cover chapter dues, national dues, panhellenic dues, and social events. Every sister joins the sorority knowing that there is a fee, but the money goes towards many different things. Some being recruitment, event planning, philanthropy outreaches, and budget.

What people (mostly men) fail to realize is how close we become with our sisters. These women are my best friends, my soulmates, and my shoulders to cry on. Whether I need to borrow a pair of shoes, want someone to go get food with, or even just want some company, I’ll always have someone to count on. These are the women who are going to be bridesmaids in my wedding. These are the women that I watch grow and take on the real world. These are the women I’m immensely proud of. I’m sure every sister can agree that these are the women we make memories with, the type you keep forever and will tell your kids about in the future.

So the next time someone tries to insult me by just saying “you just pay for your friends”, I’ll just smile and nod. Because I don’t pay for my friends, but they are the best damn friends I could have ever asked for.