Missing Maple Street

It's the middle of summer, and while a break from tests and study sessions is nice, there seems to be a very distinct void that a day at the pool can't seem to fill. We miss our sisters, so we find ourselves reminiscing about this past year. Let's take a little trip down memory lane!

August

August always seems to rush by a little too fast. The month started by moving into our home at 920 West Maple Street. Getting to be roommates and neighbors with our best friends has never been more exciting. We can't get too comfortable though, because this is the start of two of the busiest and most fun weeks of the year. During work week and rush week, we get to hear all of the fun summer stories and spend quality time with the women we missed most. When thinking about this past August in Fayetteville, the most prominent memory has to be Bid Day. We got to celebrate bringing so many new sisters into our big Tri Delta family.

September

When September starts, we have gotten into the swing of our class schedules and routines. We've met new people and made new friends. We enjoy sitting on the balcony and eating lunch and dinner. The weekends are now designated for football games. We get ready with our roommates and raid each other's closets for the perfect gameday outfit. September was a pretty good month because it was the time that we added into each little family. Big/Little is a tradition where the new members get paired with an older member. The older member gets to act as a 'big sister' to her new best friend. It's always sweet to build relationships with girls in different pledge classes.

October

When October comes by, we are in need of a little break. Fall break is the perfect time for a little adventure with our sisters. Whether we are going on a road trip or traveling for a hometown tour with our friends, it is always nice to have a restful weekend. This past October was definitely one of the most memorable for Delta Iota. We hosted Hudson Westbrook for a night in Fayetteville. This concert did not disappoint and was a fun way to bring our sisters together.

November

By the time November arrives, we are all writing little letters of encouragement and gratitude to our sisters. We have our annual Thanksgiving dinner at the house where we eat all of the traditional food, get dressed up, and spend time with our sisters. It is always a highlight. We also have a philanthropy event to bring the community together to celebrate and support St. Jude. It's the best way to give back in this season of thankfulness.

December

The holiday season is in full swing now and the house is all decorated in silver and blue. The semester starts to slow down and now it's time to study for finals. But before we study, we spend Reading Day surrounded by all of our girls, having a little side quest adventure. It's our last nod to sisterhood before spending a month apart. We have our last function of the year, HoliDDDate. Getting ready for functions with all of your best friends is a recipe for the best night ever. We all say 'see you soon' as we go home for the holidays.

January

We all come back to Fayetteville with big smiles and open arms, ready to hug our friends that we have missed so dearly. Without fail, Fayetteville is always met with a snowstorm at the beginning of spring semester. Personally, this is my favorite part of the whole year. Being snowed in with the women that mean the most to you, no homework, and lots of time for movie marathons is simply the best. When the snow starts the clear, it's time for basketball season. Most people will say this is their favorite season in Fayetteville because of the atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena.

February

A month full of love! We celebrate Galentine's Day with pink and red themed parties, and we get to show how much we love each other and Tri Delta. We also get to show how much we love St. Jude by participating in Sincerely Yours. This is a letter writing campaign we do to encourage our loved ones to love on the children at St. Jude. This is one of the biggest philanthropy events we have throughout the year and it is truly so much fun.

March

Marching right along, we get to have a much needed break. Spring break is always a week well spent. We have girls travel all across the globe. Coming back and debriefing spring break is always fun. March is also a fun month because of its simplicity. We find little joys in hanging around the house and sitting with our house mom. Listening to music while studying on the front porch with friends really brings us together.

April

April is a busy month as we try to tie up loose ends before the school year is over. After class, we make plans to go to the baseball games and cheer on the Hogs. As the sun starts to set later, we enjoy nights at Baum-Walker Stadium with a hot dog in hand. We host one more event for St. Jude and DHOP, or Delta House Of Pancakes, is always our biggest crowd pleaser. During this event, we Pie a Pres and have pancake eating competitions. Raising money for something we hold so close to our hearts is one of our favorite parts of the whole year.

May

We only get a few days in May together, but those are a few of our favorite days. The year officially ends with our formal function. Getting dressed up with your girls and having fun on the dance floor is a great way to end the semester. As we pack up our rooms, we are reminded of the best year we just experienced. All of the little trials and hardships don't compare to how special the year was. We spend Reading Day together in Silver Dollar City as one last sisterhood event before we take our finals. The school year is officially over and now it's time for summer break. We start our study abroad trips or internships, and we text our sisters everyday with new updates. But one thing remains the same: we're ready to see each other again.

Absence really does make the heart grow fonder, and looking back at the whirlwind of the past school year only makes us countdown the days until we can finally run home to our sisters again.