Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
How long have you known the friend you’ve had in your life the longest? I am fortunate to have friends in my life that I have known since I was 12! I’m even more fortunate that one of these friends went to college with me and became a member of Theta Phi Alpha. After college, we volunteered for the Fraternity and served together on the Grand Council from 1998-2001. This dear friend and sister is Wendy Stark Prey, Alpha Pi.
I recently visited Wendy for a long weekend, and we had the best kind of quality girl time – watching movies (including Love Actually), enjoying great food, putting up holiday decorations, and visiting the Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic. Wendy is the Managing Director of the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. I attended the opening night of the theater’s production of Sister Act with her. Set in 1970s Philadelphia, the show follows a woman named Deloris who hides in a convent posing as a nun. The story highlights the relationships she builds with the nuns and the sisterhood that forms as they face danger together.
There is a song in the show called Sister Act. As Deloris sings the song, she realizes how important the nuns – her sisters – have become to her. While Wendy and I listened to the song together, she reached over and held my hand. As friends. As Theta Phi Alpha sisters. Here are some words from the song.
I have my sisters with me still,
I’ll have my sisters, always will.
And with my sisters’ love,
No star above will shine as bright as me.
And as a sister and a friend,
I’ll be a sister ‘till the end,
And no one on this earth can change that fact –
I’m part of one terrific sister act.
The month of November is a time to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. I am thankful for longtime friends, friends who became sisters, and sisters who became friends. Please enjoy some pictures of Wendy and me with Theta Phi Alpha sisters from over the years. Do you have a longtime friend who became a sister? We invite you to share a picture through our Photo and Video Submission Form.
Yours In the Bonds of Sisterhood,
Kristin Henkenius
National President
