Since my daughter is still young, Halloween is a HUGE event in our household. The conversations about costumes and candy and safety begin literally weeks before the big event. This year, Riley’s teacher fully embraced the season and read what Riley called “spooky-scary” books to them, wore Halloween ties and pumpkin earrings, and sent home a list of ways to be safe and responsible while Trick or Treating. Riley was so excited that she could barely see straight.
One morning, she announced to me that her teacher had said that they could wear heels to the class Halloween party, as long as they “went with the outfit”.
Now, allow me to give you a little insight on my daughter. She is a fashionista. Young though she is, she has an innate sense of style – albeit her own unique style which often involves pairing pink fluffy dresses with cowboy boots and a string of costume pearls. I seriously doubt that you would find anything even remotely resembling a “Riley Line” on the catwalks of Wal-Mart much less Milan or Paris. But it nevertheless emanates from who she is and how she wants to present herself to the world. And ever since her MiMi bought her first (and only) pair for her this summer, she has absolutely adored heels.
So after her big announcement regarding the permissibility of wearing heels, I then asked her, “What do you want to be for Halloween?”
“A WITCH!” She cried excitedly.
“Do witches wear heels??” I was a little dubious.
“THIS witch does!” She grinned from ear to ear. Her enthusiasm was matched only by her self-confidence. However, in an unfortunate blow to fashionable Halloween witches everywhere, when we went looking for costumes, she decided that big pointy hats and black shawls were not so stylish and she ended up going as a mermaid. And with the same enthusiasm she employed towards her first idea, she made no bones about the fact that mermaids also wear heels.
And so, when the big night finally rolled around, we dressed up and unashamedly set off to randomly knock on doors, beg for food and take candy from strangers.
Like all kids, Riley loves the costumes and candy, but I love the community spirit that Halloween builds. It is one of the few times when we actually see and interact with our neighbours. Parents linger along the streets as their children go from door to door. I met – for the first time – the moms and dads of many of Riley’s schoolmates. I walked through my neighbourhood rather than driving. I slowed down. I chatted. I began relationships.
One couple in particular stood out to me. As they walked along, they held hands and were as warm in their affection for each other as the night was cold. But when I realized that they newly dating and not married, it made me very sad that they were showing up all the rest of us who were.
But it also gave me pause to think, as I grabbed Eric’s hand and cuddled up to him. I know for a fact that I am more in love with my husband than she is with her boyfriend. I know this because we have 18 years of history, of moments lived and memories shared. So why on earth would I not be more affectionate towards my husband?
So here is my thought for you: make time this week for a little PDA (public display of affection) with your spouse. Nothing obscene, of course. But hold a hand, give a smooch, link arms together. And then write me to tell what you did and what the reaction was around you. I want to know!
And then have some left over candy as a “reward”!
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