Every Oct. 31, I wish I was a kid again. Sure, there are Halloween parties and socials on campus, but there’s nothing that compares to the days when you ran from house to house snagging as much candy as you could. I always considered Halloween to be right up there with Santa and the Easter Bunny, something kind of magical that you can only appreciate when you’re a kid.

Who can forget these things about Halloween?

Anxiously waiting to be “ghosted,” and planning your strategy for “ghosting” your friends. Note to your seven-year-old self: don’t wear light-up tennis shoes when “ghosting;” it kind of spoils the surprise.

Making it a major celebration when signs for Spirit Halloween (Halloween USA) started showing up at malls.

Carefully selecting the perfect Halloween costume only to find out that a dozen other kids in your school also selected that “perfect” costume. Think Princesses cloned over and over.

Looking at the calendar and being totally bummed when you see that Halloween is on a school night.

The great feeling you get when you’re allowed to go trick or treating with your friends, without parents tagging along.

Pretending to be excited when someone drops a homemade popcorn ball into your bag.

Running from house to house, and then stopping home to empty your pillowcase when it gets too heavy to carry.

Dumping all your candy on the living room floor and looking for your favorites, like Skittles or Starbursts and trying to figure out what to do with all those Baby Ruths and Almond Joys.

Getting chips in your school lunch everyday for a month after Halloween.

Making great memories with your best friend every year until, sadly, both of you realize that you’re too old for the magic of trick or treating.

Happy Halloween everyone!