As an avid fall hater, I have found a love for Northern, and specifically NYC, falls. And yes, I know it’s normally Christian Girl Autumn.

Dear Secular Girl Autumn,

I might have misjudged you before. I thought you were silly, maybe even a bit preppy. I thought you were basic. I thought your love for a weird transitional season was strange and simply wrong.

I admit now that it was I who was wrong. Maybe I am older and wiser now, maybe I have been entranced by apple cider donuts, or maybe I stopped letting my miserable fall experiences haunt me, but I am a changed woman. I see your virtues now. I mean, who does not want to be cozy in a white sweater and beanie while drinking a pumpkin spice latte surrounded by orange leaves? Who does not want to buy twenty different decorative pumpkins in various aesthetic fabrics? Who does not want to spend hours exploring the Hobby Lobby fall section? I want to get lost among the fake leaves and decorative signs, thank you very much.

Your general vibe is so cozy and comforting that I am sorry I let my pessimism affect my view of you. In my defense, falls in the South consist of football tailgates, freezing mornings, blistering afternoons, and excess amounts of rain. Seriously. So. Much. Rain. It’s hard to feel aesthetic when your clothes are drenched because you forgot an umbrella. However, NYC falls are the epitome of aesthetic. Central Park becomes a blazing forest of turned leaves, and restaurants have warm soups made from the fall harvest. The neighborhoods, especially Greenwich Village, decorate their doorsteps with fall and Halloween paraphernalia in tasteful arrangements. There are farmers’ markets, vintage clothing stores, cute cafes, and days with a high below 70 degrees Fahrenheit before the end of November. Drinking a carefully crafted latte in a cable knit sweater has never been easier.

The city even has pumpkin patches for the fall! And they aren’t mud-filled fields! And people don’t call them punkins!

Actually, I take that back. I love “punkins.”

I say all of this like I have never seen orchards or pumpkin patches, but I grew up with them, even if they were, you know, muddy. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder because I have never loved fall as much as I do now when I am not constantly surrounded by people trying to pick apples. I shudder just thinking about it. Ugh.

Anyway, New York City does fall right, and I am here for it.

So, Secular Girl Autumn, I am sorry for my past animosity. I love you now. I guess all it took was less rain and humidity. Maybe I should buy some fake pumpkins for my dorm to truly profess my love. Ok, I might not personally partake in the extreme consumerism aspects of your existence, but I can happily say I appreciate your vibe. Keep doing your thing, and I will be on the sidelines (or craft store aisles) cheering!

Lots of love,

Peyton Nelson <3

Punkins via Unsplash