When I think back on my four years at UVA, I can’t help but wonder where the time went. It seems like just yesterday that my parents were dropping me off at my first year dorm. But then again, upon reflection, that version of myself seems quite distant. That’s the thing about time—it moves slowly and quickly all at once, which is why holding memories dear is so important. Many of my favorite UVA memories are Theta memories because it was such an important part of my experience. Theta has been pivotal in my progression from a nervous eighteen-year-old to a confident twenty-two-year old who is ready to take on whatever the real world might bring.
When I came to UVA, I was fresh-faced, excited, and so very young. For the first time, I was on my own and relatively unsupervised. I hugged my parents goodbye and halfway convinced them that I was completely okay and not nervous at all. Each day held the carefree promise of meeting new people, going new places, and learning new things. First year fall brought lectures bigger than my graduating class, dorm rooms smaller than my bedroom at home, late nights, and early mornings. It was a flurry of experiences and emotions. Before I knew it, rush loomed in the distance, and I begin to wonder where I would end up and how I would get there. After hours of small talk, serious conversations, smiles, tears, and tough decisions, I hit the jackpot and landed myself in Theta. Instantly, I felt welcomed and accepted in a group of girls who were diverse, smart, and involved, but never took themselves too seriously. Theta was a place where I felt like I could be myself; there was no need to force relationships because genuine friendship was all around.
Many of my favorite Theta memories come from living in the house as a third year. Sharing a house with thirty girls was overwhelmingly fun. There were closets and costumes bins to browse, makeup to borrow, and meals to share. There was always somebody to study with, watch TV with, go out with, and just relax with. Living side by side with my pledge class fostered deeper friendships than I ever could have imagined. Whether it was an uneventful Monday or the highly anticipated Jorts and Jerseys or Theta Wedding date functions, each day in Theta was exciting and rewarding. My favorite Theta memory of all was the bachelorette party that my pledge class threw for Marianna, the Theta Wedding bride, this past spring. Dressed to the nines in our tacky dresses, we chose a mother of the bride and bridesmaids and even had a cake. There were speeches, toasts, and laughs as we got ready for the Theta tradition that is the envy of everyone on Grounds. That night showed me that by now, though we are all different, our pledge class is like one cohesive unit. We are spirited and adventurous. We let everyone be their own person without any judgment, yet we genuinely care about forging close friendships with those who are different than we are. We have more fun than anyone we know, and nobody is ever left behind. How lucky am I to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard?
Betsy Fortin (’15)