Thank you all for the love, support, and encouragement last week. I’m grateful to share this journey with each of you. After a heavy message last time, I thought I’d lighten things up and talk about something seasonal: Halloween!

Growing up, I loved Halloween! It was more than just candy; it was the colors, costumes, the fun songs, and all the festive energy (minus the scary stuff!). As a kid, I loved how Halloween was like a visit to Disney—just pure fun, with no darkness.

And when I entered my middle school years, the idea that I could be something other than myself for one night was an amazing escape.

But now, as an adult and new mom, my perspective has shifted. Halloween doesn’t feel the same. Today, it seems like the holiday leans more into the eerie, even the grotesque.

In my neighborhood, Halloween has become the most decorated season, with front yard graveyard scenes, clowns torturing baby dolls, and 11-foot demonic creatures that actually jump out at you!

I’m all for some spooky fun, but it feels less like a celebration and more like an overload of fear. The intensity of the haunted houses and theme park horror nights have become just that - a night celebrating terror.

To me, this was not what Halloween was supposed to be. When I was struggling in my daily grind, I dreamt of someday owning a house with a yard that had the cute things or had the fun decorations from Halloween Disney, Purple and Orange "Christmas" lights, and fun decorations from Harry Potter to Casper.

(And yes - I still cry when I watch Casper. "Can I keep you?!" Crying! Anyone else?)

And... it is no joke I start ideating our possible family costume around the 6 month to Halloween countdown. Plus! I have had a whole Pinterest board since before I graduated college dedicated to decorations for my future Halloween house party (like they have at Alison's house in Hocus Pocus. One can dream, right?).

All of this to say, it makes me wonder how I want to celebrate this holiday with my son as he grows up. I do not want him to think it’s normal to celebrate evil things when we are raising him to be the light in the darkness. Our world is already scary enough—do we need a holiday to amplify that?

I write this not knowing the answer of what our future Halloweens hold, but I write this knowing I still hold onto the hope that this holiday is for the wholesome, innocent and fun that I remember believing when I was a kid. I hope that for you and your families too.

I believe we can walk a fine balance of enjoying the festiveness of this season but still being a light and hope to those around us.

Also - can I mention how the heck did candy get sooo expensive? I saw a small bag that may last like 10 trick or treaters and it was $20!! That's insane! More on that below.

But for now, I look back fondly on my childhood Halloweens. My top three favorite costumes were:

1) A Bride (made by my grandma) - 5 years old

2) Pink Power Ranger - 8 years old

3) An Alien - all my siblings wore the same costume that year so we were a pack of aliens together (12 years old).

I hope you all enjoy a safe, fun, and truly joyful Halloween. And I’d love to hear from you—

What were your favorite costumes from your past?

How do you feel about Halloween?

Has it gotten scarier or do you still find magic in it?

I wish you all a very safe, fun, and festive Halloween. See you in November (Election Day!)

(Side note: GO VOTE! VOTE EARLY if you can.)

Until next time, BOO!

Happy Halloween!