Dearest Cat Costume,

It’s that time of year again. It’s your favorite day. Today is the day that I can finally dust you off and wear you proudly around the town. It’s Oct. 31, also known as the only day of the year where it is acceptable to walk around dressed as a black cat.

I know many call you basic and original, but I prefer the terms classic and iconic. No one will ever ask me what I am dressed up as because how can they question the whiskers and nose drawn on my face in black eyeliner. I think what I love most about you is how loyal you’ve been to me over the past 20 Halloween nights.

OK, so maybe you haven’t made a debut at all 20, but you have surely been there for most of them. When I put on those cat ears in the third grade, I never knew that I would be searching for them again 12 years later.

You have evolved with me over many years, and I expect you to keep evolving with me as time goes on. From the original black and pink matching long sleeve and pants set to the modern black tank top and shorts, you never fail to make a statement.

When I wear the costume, it goes past my physical appearance. There is a certain confidence that comes with being dressed as a cat. In reality, cats poop in litter boxes and find amusement from a ball of yarn, but in theory, they are strong, powerful and playful creatures.

The difference between busting a move on the dance floor in normal clothing and dressed as a cat is remarkable. There is something remarkably empowering about doing the cabbage patch with a cattail on. (Yes, I do have a glittery cattail to match my sparkly cat ears).

Maybe this costume gets me in touch with my inner Katy Perry or fulfills my secret desire to be Cat Woman, but whatever you do Cat Costume, you are doing it right.

As Halloween rolls around again, I will keep you in my costume vault as a hidden gem for when I feel the time is right. I wonder what variation of you I can use this year. No matter how I choose to style you, I know you’ll always have my back.

Thank you, Cat Costume, for getting me through countless Halloween parties. I know I can count on you year after year to keep my Halloween spirits high and my feline feelings ferocious.