I stand in the hallway feeling insecure, stupid, and dare I say, ugly. My roommate gives me a genuine confused, sad reaction. “Let’s go talk to the girls. They’ll know what to say.” Alea sprints to her room where the rest of our friends gathered as we all got ready for Halloween. “Caitlin doesn’t like her outfit.” Instantly, my spirits were lifted. I was showered with compliments abandoning my previous insecurities. Sometimes it really just takes a room full of girls to remind you what you couldn’t see in yourself. I thought to myself, how lucky am I?
Flytedesk conducted a survey revolving around Halloween plans and costumes. Around 78% of college students will go out during Halloween. On average students spend around $56.35 whether that be purchasing or DIYing. Safe to say, Halloween is a big deal in college. Between the costumes, parties, anticipation, an extra hour due to daylight savings, and the added suspense of the holiday falling on a Saturday, this event was exciting and daunting all at once.Â
After truly surviving the weekend, I have my friends to thank. I owe it all to them.
There’s layers to Halloween weekend. Unfortunately many truths are unveiled and limits get tested. Surrounded by the wrong people can be detrimental. Over the years, I’ve gained friends I trust with my every instinct and they prove it time and time again. My most romantic love stories are dedicated to my friends. The girls who wake me up in the morning, share meals and makeup with, and even just rot on the couch together.Â
The weekend began with a 3:30 pm shift. I frantically ran home to get ready for what the weekend had in store. However, I did not need to rush nor stress. My friends were waiting back at home for me. And if they couldn’t get any better, they made sure to wake me with hugs and water that next morning for my morning shift. My phone had died, so without them I totally would’ve slept through my shift. They understand how serious I am towards work and wouldn’t want me to miss it.
Getting ready together might be one of the most beautiful shared woman experiences in my opinion. Sometimes getting ready together can be more fun than actually going out. An everyday ritual becomes a shared cherished moment of connection. When music is playing in the background, you’re borrowing each other’s makeup and jewelry, doing each other’s hair, trying on outfits. It becomes almost like playing with dolls when you were little, it’s a dream come true. After everyone’s all ready, we stare in the mirror, make tiktoks, and take photos encapsulating our youth. I always trust my friends’ opinions as well. They have my true best interest at heart, wanting to see me flourish and thrive. There is no jealousy or competition which is something I appreciate so heavily about our dynamics. Sincere compliments fill the room while we hype each other up for their solo photoshoot in different costumes each night.Â
However, friendship isn’t always about the fun times. There are nights that don’t go as planned and go horribly wrong. It’s important especially on these nights to show up. The combination of costumes, liquor, and energy can make even getting home a bit of a blur. I can call my friend halfway across town and she’d come and get me and not think twice. I can apologize for the inconvenience and know she would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s easy to have fun together but it should also be just as easy to help when the night gets difficult. Unfortunately, this isn’t the expected normal behavior in every friendship. Once you find that person, that’s the type of friend you keep around you forever. I can always count on my friends for safety and unconditional support.
When times seem incredibly fast and chaotic it’s also peaceful to just lay with your friends. Rotting in last nights makeup and sins while talking about all your fun adventures from the night before is where true connection occurs. I’ve had more fun laughing on couches next to my friends debriefing than I ever have on nights out. The mornings I spend hungover, smelly, and vulnerable, laughing next to my roommates are the times I’ll miss when I graduate. I would hold any of my friends’ hair over any toilet as long as necessary. I’d watch any sitcom as we cuddle and doomscroll. There is pure comfort in sitting and doing nothing together.Â
It is also comforting and fun to sit around a phone with your friends texting boys. We are in a time of life where we can find ourselves wrapped up in boys. We may spend time wondering who will love us, explaining our boy troubles to one another. Some nights even unfortunately you may choose a man over your friends. Meanwhile your best friends look at you like you painted the stars. The experience of girl talk always requires love and intimacy, opening up truly to one another.Â
As my last Halloween in college concluded, my friends and I were on the way to McDonalds obviously. We discussed our gratitude and memories. As frustrating as the traffic was as many guests exited West Chester, I couldn’t help but sit and take in just how much I appreciate my friends during this season. I see it all around me. Girls laughing on a park bench as they wait for a table at Market Street Grill. Men hungover hopping into an uber dressed up as various superheroes. For a brief weekend, the town seemed to recover as a community. These are the days we will look back on and cherish the nights that never went to plan and the girls that made sure I never experienced it alone.Â