When Jess suggested last week that she come down for a visit, I was ecstatic. I only see Jess once or twice a year and it is typically a quick visit on my way home from a full day of recruiting at RPI. 2-3 hours is nowhere near enough time to catch up with someone who played such an integral part in my life.
Jess and I met at cross country practice freshman year at RPI. We hit it off pretty quickly, but she decided to leave the team quickly too. Since we didn't live in the same dorm or share any classes, I didn't see her much after that. Until the day that I walked through the arch into the quad and saw Jessica coming down the stairs. She was wearing the same red, buff and green pin that I was wearing... and I was so excited that she and I would be joining the same sorority.
Yes... it's true. You may be surprised by the fact that I was in a sorority in college. It surprised me too! Most of my high school friends were guys and I much preferred playing sports or catching crawdads to shopping or talking on the phone. But I was a joiner freshman year... I wanted to try it all -- cross country, student government, ROTC, even a sorority... and I'm glad that I did.
The women that I met at AGD (and RPI, in general) showed me that girls are pretty cool too. They showed me that there actually were other women out there who wore sweatpants and a baseball cap to class, didn't care what other people thought about how much they ate (in fact, they were proud of the fact that they could polish off two dozen wings in one sitting!) and would love to spend the weekend playing ultimate, hiking at Grafton or driving up to Bennington VT. Of course, they also didn't mind spending a weekend night getting fancied up for a 3-to-3! Whether dressed to impress or choosing function over fashion, these women were smart, real and beautiful... and I'm so glad to have them in my life.
Jess is one of those women. Smart, caring, beautiful... a wonderful mother... a wonderful friend. What a great day I had with her today. As I stood on the platform with her this evening, waiting for the train that would take her back home, I couldn't help but think of all the times we've shared, I couldn't help but to think 'I am so blessed.'
Love you so much Linda, and what a great time I had with you and Mike. I'll never forget everything you taught me either and I like to think I'm a stronger, better person because you're in my life. We don't see each other often enough but we'll make sure to work on changing that.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you said it so well! I think most of us who joined AGD at RPI would never have been in a sorority some where else. It was different at RPI and it was an amazing experience! So many life changing events and wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteBeing at WPI without you, Jessica, and the rest of the girls actually makes my experience back at school very strange.... for example... there is no one here to get wings with and see if I can still eat two dozen wings in one sitting...
ReplyDelete