I had the pleasure of spending a portion of my weekend with some amazing women, (I had the displeasure of spending the other hours of my weekend watching Cal and Co. get their arses kicked on the basketball court – one experience was decidedly more enjoyable than the other…)
Back in the days of 80’s BIG hair, pegging my pants legs and thinking cigarettes wouldn’t hurt me I spent every moment with these ladies; sharing an address, sharing clothes, sharing laughs and worries…
Nothing much has changed since our sorority days at York College (perhaps our alcohol tolerance has taken a bit of a hit – although we gave it the ol’ college try this weekend). The sisters of Sigma Delta Sigma still make me laugh so hard I almost pissed myself (this might not actually be all that impressive what with the 3 kids and the decades of aging); they still make me feel like I belong and mostly they let me know that for the rest of my life they will be my sisters.
This group of 9 Delta sisters ran the gamut – liberal, conservative, stay-at-home, professional, vegetarians, vegans, pescetarianist, carnivoures, makeup free, lash curling, beer drinking and wine loving women. The “responsible” (for lack of a better word) foodies took quite a beating from us bacon lovers and they did so with a smile on their faces, all while preparing delicious eats that met all of our needs. I do believe we were 100% united in our disdain for those mini corn on the cobs found in Chinese food….
I see some of these ladies more often than others but I selfishly cherish one aspect of my time with them more than any other: they knew me before I was Karen Iseminger. The years seem to melt away the minute I hear, “hey Reedie…” or “Karen Reed…”.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud and happy to carry my husband’s last name (the fact I can’t write a cursive capital ‘I’ notwithstanding) but after almost 19 years of lugging that mouthful around – its nice to regain my identity, if only for a weekend. This weekend I wasn’t Dan’s wife or Alex’s, Cal’s or Abby’s mom or Dan’s daughter. I was Karen Reed…
It seems such a simple thing – to hear my maiden name – but it’s oddly cathartic and I don’t know why. Maybe it reminds me of simpler times or perhaps just younger times; whatever the reason it is ridiculously comforting and heartwarming and I’m so very thankful we take these opportunities to look back 25 years while catching up on everybody’s today.
Delta sisters: we’ve still got the balls, ladies and I adore you!
We all need to be reminded of who we ‘were’, before we became who we are. Having that comfort of old friends to remind us, and through reminissing helps us see what all we’ve accomplished. We look at our lives and can see that we truly are ok. You’ve done so much, and have SO much to be proud of!
Thanks Shirl! It’s true… I was certainly not matching my potential back then – but I thought I was… Those girls are like an old comfy sweater 🙂