Dad didn’t like it.
Dad didn’t support it. (Story here.)
Dad gets rolled (ignored is a better word).
Daughter does it anyway.
Last night, Daughter as President, addressed Seniors and incoming Freshmen in her final official duty.
Daughter sends Mom and Dad two text messages last night.
“Everyone Loved it.”
“They all cried.”
Here’s a summary of her speaking notes:
September, 2010.
There I was.
A 18-year old freshman.
Being dropped off by my parents at Moriarty Hall.
I remember the long walk down the sidewalk that was welcoming the incoming freshmen.
My heart was racing,
I didn’t know anyone.
My dorm, looked like a prison.
I was floundering and feeling alone. And so, homesick.
I thought that a sorority would help me settle in.
I come from a small family. Mom and Dad did not participate in Greek life in college. And Dad, the task-masker, is barking at me to skip this sorority stuff, put my head down and focus on school. “I didn’t do sorority stuff and I turned out OK.” (He didn’t even know the difference between frats and sororities).
He had no idea. Nor did I.
January of 2011:
3 months passed.
I still didn’t have any close friends.
I was lonely.
I couldn’t tell my parents that I was struggling.
Then came Tridelt bid day.
This was my pivot point at Villanova. A defining experience.
And, in time, you will find this will be your pivot point as well.
Prior to joining Tridelt, I felt like my life was that quip in the Miller Light commercial – “TASTES GREAT – LESS FILLING. My free time was spent hanging out with friends, watching Reality TV shows (Real Housewives), going to class, eating and sleeping.
HERE, I have made deep connections with my Sisters that will last me a lifetime.
HERE, I was involved in activities that made me feel like I was giving back – giving me a higher purpose – – – – – whether it was dancing with the athletes at our booth at Special Olympics – – – – or raising over $70,000 this past year for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
HERE, I have become part of a deep network of Villanova Alumni and TriDelt sisters – A COMMUNITY – that I have found to be invaluable in the job world.
Bottom line, I have become a member of this large family that was GIVING BACK AND ALSO GETTING BACK IN RETURN.
November 2012
I was elected to be President of this chapter and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had during my time at Villanova.
3.5 years ago, I was sitting in these same seats, where you are sitting, in a room full of strangers, completely undecided what the rest of my college experience would be like.
3.5 years ago, I sat in this room and watched how emotional the senior girls were during this same meeting.
3.5 years ago, I didn’t understand the depth of bonds and connections that I will have built and established.
I do now.
I really REALLY do now.
This sorority has become part of my family.
An important part of my life.
I hope that you are all as happy here with your new family as I have been.
I leave you today, confident that each and every one of you girls sitting in this room has the potential to take our chapter to the next level.
LET ME CLOSE BY SAYING:
I am proud,
so unbelievably proud,
to be a member of Tridelt.
THANK YOU.
Related Post: Rachel. Leading from the front.
Your shining, brilliant, determined, generous, engaging daughter. Your daughter with a beautiful heart and a gift for sincere expression and deed. Your daughter with a stubborn streak that she comes by honestly. What you and Susan have done is ensure that the world’s future is that much brighter because this star is about to fly. And for reasons unnecessary to define – where’s the damn Kleenex??
Smiling. Thanks so much Mimi. I didn’t use Kleenex – used my sleeve. (TMI)
I’ve decided to keep a box next to my laptop so I’m prepared when I visit you.
Awwwwwww.
Like father, like daughter. Thanks for everything you’ve given the world, David.
Awwwwww, thank you Ann
Simple and inspiring to those of any age! Thanks for sharing your pride–as a parent, I feel it too!
Awwww, thank you Steve. There is enormous pride.
WONDERFUL POST! How proud you must be. Your daughter’s insights helped me gain insight into my granddaughters time at school. She is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh and a first year pharmacy student who last year joined her first professional group dedicated to service. Thanks for the information. Congratulations to your daughter.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you Francine. Glad the post was of some help.
You helped lay a good foundation, Daddy.
Thanks Ray.
So sweet, David, and so heartfelt. I, too, was a sorority girl, something I NEVER thought I’d be, but like Rachel, I found that the group gave me a place to call my own on campus and a way to “plug in” that was invaluable. Good for her! I’m quite sure this is just the first of many triumphs for your beautiful girl.
Yes, I was shocked at the impact of her sorority experience. I have been known to be wrong once before (8-9 years ago I think) 🙂
You are obviously one VERY proud father, and rightfully so. And both your wife and daughter are lucky to have you in return. A wonderful post …
It am Keith. Thank you for the kind words.
She comes by her beautiful communication honestly! Beautiful and sweet.
Awwwwwww, I’m sure she’ll love to read this. Thanks Vicki
I believe that children are reflections of their parents…so this is all not much of a surprise to me, knowing you a bit, David, and imaging how extraordinary Susan must be as well. What a beautiful reflection the two of you have created. This memory and the pride that goes along with it will live in your heart forever. Thank you for sharing the love I know you are feeling. 🙂
Thank you for the kind words Carol.
Well done, Dad, well done!
MJ
What a beautiful mind and soul your daughter possesses- she has learned from you and her mom what is most important in this life. What a gift to read this – she is ‘my population’ in my career in higher ed- it’s incredibly wonderful to see such an intelligent and thoughtful rising star!
Thank you Bonnie. We are blessed.
She’s got it together!
Most of the time!
Learnt a trick or two about communication from her Dad without even realising it, I suspect. Well done the lot of you.
🙂 A little bit was retained after years of badgering. Thank you Michael.
What a beautiful woman you and your wife have created and even though she makes decisions that are different from yours, you have influenced her in ways you might never realize. Thank you for giving her to the world.
Thank you Carolann.
Reblogged this on THE STRATEGIC LEARNER and commented:
I already posted this in other places, so apologize for any overlap.
This is the kind of thing which results in a parent buying new shirts, since the buttons have popped off the current ones from the swelling of the chest with pride.
Nicely parented, David …
Thank you John. So true on needing new shirts. 🙂
Pretty awesome. Wow, very inspiring and so well put together. Just like dad! Congrats! Well done Rachel!
🙂 It is Paco. It is. You’ll watch Frankie enter the collegiate world shortly. Quite a life change…
Good things daughter didn’t listen to you, huh? Good thing she has a great head on her shoulder. Well done, David and Mom for raising a good child. Kudos to you both.
Yes. Good think. Thanks Perpetua.
Rachel gained so much more than a degree at Villanova; she obviously carried the foundation blocks from home. Was about to comment on your earlier post (“I would hear the word…”) but decided to catch up on the rest first. And here it is again … give vs. take, meaning vs. happy, purpose. I would be surprised if you haven’t seen this article on Viktor Frankl, or read his book, but just in case here is something guaranteed to stick with you. It certainly has with me.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/theres-more-to-life-than-being-happy/266805/
:
Hi Stephen. Thank you. I was at a work function last month and there was an icebreaker before dinner where we were asked to share our favorite movie and our most impactful book. I named Frankl’s “In Search for Meaning” as #1 on my list. I’m with you – it has been with me ever since. Thanks for sharing the article.
These are lifetime experiences of one’s life. She lived this time of hers by experiencing it and you are living it by sharing it with us. Its wonderful indeed. You should be proud of her and I’m sure you are. Stay blessed!
We are Sonia. We are. Thank you.
You must be beaming. I think she’ll do just fine out in the world.
I am Maralee. I am.