Whether you knew Courtney O’Bryan—who was in a car accident on the last canning trip and passed away—didn’t matter. Together Greek Life stood on the lawn of Kappa Delta Rho, cried and watched as the sisters of Sigma Delta Tau spoke of their friend and sister, but most importantly their inspiration of the night. The lawn was filled with familiar and unfamiliar faces all there to support the sisters of Sigma Delta Tau and brothers of Kappa Delta Rho. All that mattered was the love and support that these sorority women and fraternity men were receiving. All that mattered was O’Bryan.
And as her pledge class reminisced on the experiences they shared with O’Bryan, there wasn’t a dry eye on that lawn. Every individual there was touched by O’Bryan’s bubbly and loving personality through the words and description of her sisters and best friends.
Then in the distance you could hear one sister of Sigma Delta Tau as she spoke of O’Bryan’s smile, her laugh and most of all her perfect personality. Reciting words that I will remember forever she said, “We will dance, we will laugh, and we will sing.” These words engrained in the minds of those hoping for days where they will no longer feel the sadness of loss, but the joy of having known O’Bryan.
Following a moment of silence for O’Bryan and we made our way into the house all you could hear were the cries of those who loved her, wishing she was still here to make them laugh. Gathered in one room, her friends held each other as they mourned the loss of their friend.
Tonight was a night to come together as a family and support our sisters and our brothers in a time when they truly needed it. And we will continue to be there when tears stream down their faces to remind them that someday they will dance, they will laugh and they will sing together, just like their sister O’Bryan would want them to.