Fall is arguably the best season of the year. With the fresh-scented breeze comes hoodies, boots and all things pumpkin spice. But as a native Midwesterner who now lives in the Sunshine State, fall just isn’t quite the same. Yes, during winter I thank the Lord for that beautiful sunshine and sand, but when it comes to fall, I’d love to hop a plane North.

Yes, we have fall here! It consists of cooler weather (thank you Jesus), sweaters, pumpkin flavors everywhere and a chance to wear sweatshirts and scarves without melting (most days). But there are definitely things to miss about a fall in the North.

The scent of fall.

If you live in the Midwest you know what I’m talking about. It’s the cool breeze that carries a waft of the neighbors burning leaves and the crop dust from the fields of corn just harvested. It’s the smell that makes you pause and take a looooong, deep breath.

The bonfires.

For years we had a fire pit in our back yard and almost every weekend we’d have friends over to make s’mores and talk around the fire. We were always fully stocked up on hot chocolate, graham crackers, and firewood. Oooh and there was something so nice about falling asleep with the scent of campfire lingering on your hoody.

The comfy attire.

Some days around here can get pretty dang chilly and thankfully are a great excuse to pull out my boots and hoodies. But my fluffy white North Face jacket will probably never make it out of my closet or my tall socks and fleece headbands.

The pumpkin patches.

Again we have some around here, and I definitely want to go to one this year, but there’s something about a Midwestern pumpkin patch…especially in Illinois. As anyone from Illinois has proudly declared at some point or other, Morton, IL is actually the pumpkin capitol of the world. And last year the governor passed legislation to make pumpkin pie the official state pie. What a time to be alive.

Hay rides.

I’m not sure if people have these anymore but living up North, this was one of my favorite things for a long time. For my birthday one year my dad even borrowed a neighbors trailer, loaded it up with hay bales and drove me and my friends around for hours under the stars.

The haunted houses.

I'm really not one who finds excitement in paying to get scared, but it's something you have to do at least once to get out of your system. I've known some people to go every night they're in season.

Football games.

In my town of 5,000 people, football was a highlight of everyone’s week. Friday would roll around and everyone would pull up to Victory field on home-games and proudly sport their red and black. We’d spend ten minutes putting on regular socks, longs socks, a hoody and North Face, fleece headbands, gloves and sometimes Under Armour before cheering on the team. The great thing was that it wasn’t just a sports event for students, but an event that brought the whole town together.

Fall foliage.

Normally I’m impatient with people who think it’s okay to drive under the speed limit, but when leaves start changing and the roads are canopied in vibrant red, orange, yellow and purple, you stop caring. Fall has a way of pulling you outside, slowing you down and making you stop and enjoy your day. It may be the precursor to a cold, nasty winter, but for about two months, it is heaven in the Midwest.