Dear Fall,

You've returned, and I am so happy to have you back!

Your cousin Summer was beginning to be a drag, and I don't mean the fun kind, like drag queens. I mean the kind that brings you down, like a houseguest who's overstayed their welcome and you just want to kick them out the door.  They annoyed me to the point where I had to go on vacation out of the country in the hopes of bumping into you and enjoying some cooler weather, but no such luck. Summer was there as well!

But now that you're here, I can finally relax, open the doors and windows, and enjoy the cool autumn breeze in the mornings and evenings.

You have been missed!

I know most people complain about you because your arrival means Summer is over. Well, they'll get over it. I mean, they should be happy, as your arrival brings fall football, the World Series, and basketball. While I'm not a fan of any of these activities, I do find it interesting that straight men love watching other men in uniforms or shorts running around a field or court chasing a ball.

I'm just saying, it's a bit suspicious.  But I digress.

While others may not welcome your return, I happily do and am ready to enjoy everything that comes with you. First, of course, is the opportunity to retrieve my fall clothes from their long summer nap and pull-out my scarves, hats, and sweaters so I can bundle up and take long walks through the neighborhood while gazing at the Halloween decorations.

I do so enjoy shuffling through the fallen leaves while sipping a warm pumpkin spice latte. Your return also brings about, at least for me, the most colorful time of the year. Mother Nature paints the landscape into a symphony of red, yellow, orange, gold, crimson, and shades of purple. Eventually, the leaves fall to the ground, leaving the branches they once called home naked and stretching toward the sky, waiting for spring when new, greener leaves will take their place.

I also get to drape my favorite fall blanket (is that a term, or did I just make it up?) over the back of the couch. This way, it's there when I want to wrap myself in its warmth on those chilly nights and watch a movie.

Your return also brings about a complete change in people's dietary habits. Suddenly, everything becomes pumpkin spice. Lattes, muffins, pies, cheesecakes. Is there anything that hasn't been invaded by pumpkin spice? I’m not complaining.

Why is this though? Is it because the sweet aroma of the spices reminds people of a comfy, cozy time? Or is it because they think drinking a pumpkin spice latte is somehow healthier than eating a slice of pumpkin pie? Although, considering the calories in some of those drinks, I'm not sure that's true.

Your return also seems to summon those individuals who refuse to acknowledge your existence: the shorts-wearers.

These unique creatures, who apparently have no concept of temperature, continue wandering around in shorts and flip-flops while the rest of us have moved on to pants, sweaters, and jackets.

They can easily be spotted among the sea of appropriately dressed people, their pale legs practically glowing in the sun. And I can only imagine the chattering of their teeth as they venture out into the increasingly chilly weather.

They are indeed a puzzling group of individuals.

Are they immune to the cold? Or do they simply refuse to wear pants because they want to cling to the last remnants of summer?

I do so worry about them. I’m afraid they’ll freeze!

The other fabulous thing about your arrival is that the holidays are right around the corner. Unfortunately, thanks to what I can only assume is the greed of retailers, the holiday season does seem to begin earlier every year. Halloween decorations appear in August, Christmas takes over in September, and poor Thanksgiving gets pushed aside like the Jane Brady of holidays.

I mean, really, does Thanksgiving even stand a chance anymore?

Grocery stores seem to be the only ones who truly benefit from this overlooked holiday. Now, if they would offer the same deep discounts as other retailers, we might all be able to enjoy the holiday a little more without wondering how much that turkey dinner is going to cost us. Especially this year.

Speaking of food, this time of year also brings with it comfort food. Soups, stews, and roast beef dinners. The kind of meals that bring everyone back together as a family, of course, I know that’s a Hallmark dream, considering most people can’t separate themselves from their phones to carry on a conversation with another person.

Probably one of the greatest benefits of your return, my dear Fall, besides pumpkin spice, apple cider, warm clothes, holiday decorations, and fall colors, is the return of gray sweatpants and the hidden treasures they outline.

After all, I did ask your cousin Summer to leave so gray sweatpants season could begin.

And now, here you are, delivering exactly what I wanted.

Thank you, Fall.

You've truly given me something to look forward to.

And something lovely to look at.

Sincerely,

Mz. Taylor