As most of you were soaking up the sunny beaches, bikini-clad coeds, and fruity cocktails of the destinations worldwide that graced your Spring Break 2002 experience, I found myself going in the opposite direction. I was on an outbound flight from Louisville International Airport, leaving my sunny warm Kentucky home for the Windy City.
Now, you may be asking yourself why I would choose to spend SB '02 in the one city that is colder than every other place on the face of God's Earth, but this was not a planned trip. It was a trip to see if one Chicago company was where I wanted to spend the majority of my adult life being in the "real world".
What I came to realize, though, was something that I never thought I would. Throughout my life, I have been driven by the almighty dollar to succeed. It has motivated me, kept me trying, and always provided the light at the end of the tunnel. I had never wanted to be mediocre. It was unacceptable. It was out of the question. It was to be avoided at all costs.
But every now and then you have these moments where your whole philosophy changes. And as United flight 5525 climbed into the deep blue sky, I woke up.
A mere 48 days from graduation, it occurred to me what was really important. When I leave Ball State, I will not remember how to figure the current price of a bond, how to map out a chemistry ion or who conquered France in the 15th century. What I will take with me though, is the memories that last a lifetime.
I will remember Homecomings gone by and dream for Homecomings yet to come. I will always remember big bro nights, couches on the wall, and throwing around the football on a warm spring day while thinking of a reason to not go to class.
The weekends are a blur, but Bon Jovi at Scotty's, Quiet Riot at Breakers, and Petey Pablo at Dill St. will always be favorites that I probably will treasure for a lifetime. Of course, you may be wondering how this all relates to your fraternity experience. For those of you who will walk across the stage in May with me, think about the memories you treasure you most. I would bet that the reasons your memories are treasured are because of the people you shared them with.
So, for those of you who just recently joined a fraternity, or are years away from graduation, allow me to give you some advice.
1. Allow yourself to be swept up by the moment. Some of life's greatest moments are those we don't prepare for.
2. Think outside the normal realm of entertainment. Karaoke and cosmic bowling might be the greatest show on Earth.
3. Make the most of your time. Believe me it goes fast, and before you know it, it is gone forever.
4. If you're ever in doubt, play "Livin' on a Prayer", toast Bill Bratzke, and remember that there is no dollar amount that can buy the memories that last forever. Enjoy them now, remember them later and treasure them always.
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