October is my favorite month of the year because it’s when the weather begins to get cooler, the leaves start to change, and I can finally start wearing my cozy sweaters again. I was born on October 30^th just one day shy of Halloween, and my parents named me Autumn because I was born with bright red hair. Most redheads are seen as rebellious, hot-tempered, and sassy, but I’m the complete opposite because I’m shy, kind to everyone, and have a witty sense of humor.

Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays, because it falls the day after my birthday every year. When I was growing up, my parents decided it was appropriate to make my birthday into a Halloween-themed party every year. Last year, my birthday cake looked like a giant purple and black spider, and I still have nightmares about it, because I hate spiders. But I’m turning sixteen this year, so I’m hoping I’ll finally get to choose the theme for my birthday party.

I want my sweet sixteen party theme to be old Hollywood musicals because some of my favorite movies of all time are musicals that my Grandma Agatha had me watch when I was growing up. My grandmother is even planning on lending me her old high school prom dress to wear to my birthday party, and I’m so excited to wear it because it’s the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen. It’s a light blue cocktail-style dress that sparkles when it’s seen underneath the moonlight. My boyfriend Roger will wear my grandpa’s old tuxedo that he wore when he and my grandmother got married. The evening of my sixteenth birthday will be a night to remember.

My parents even decided to hire a band to play music from the 1930s and 1940s at my birthday party, and it will feel as though everyone there is dancing in the olden days because the music was so much better back then. My obsession with older music started when I was five, when my grandparents would play records on their record player by artists like Frank Sinatra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few.

Most people who know me say I’m an old soul because my taste in movies and music doesn’t match my age. My favorite decade was the 1950s because life looked so simple back then, and things like dating were much better than they are now. I wish Roger and I could go out on a Friday night to a local diner and then to the local drive-in to see movies like Singin’ In The Rain, Funny Girl, West Side Story, and Guys and Dolls, but unfortunately, drive-ins seem to be a thing of the past now.

As the weeks passed and my sixteenth birthday drew closer, I could hardly contain my excitement. Invitations were sent out, the venue was decorated with glittering stars and classic movie posters, and the band began practicing the setlist I had carefully curated. My parents had really outdone themselves this year, and I couldn’t wait to see everything come together.

On the evening of October 30th, I slipped into my grandmother’s prom dress, feeling like a character straight out of one of those old musicals I loved so much. The dress fit perfectly, its soft blue fabric shimmering in the light as I twirled in front of the mirror. My hair was done in an elegant style, and I added a touch of rosy pink lipstick for a pop of color.

Roger arrived just as I was putting on the final touches. He looked incredibly handsome in my grandfather’s tuxedo, and when he saw me, his eyes lit up. “You look beautiful, Autumn,” he said. “I can’t believe this dress was your grandmother’s. It’s like it was made for you.”

Together, we made our way to my backyard, which had been transformed into a magical old Hollywood scene. Fairy lights were strung across the trees, casting a warm glow over the party. The band was already playing soft jazz, and guests were mingling and enjoying the nostalgic atmosphere.

The highlight of the evening came when the band played “Moonlight Serenade” by The Glenn Miller Orchestra, which is one of my grandmother’s favorite songs. Roger and I danced together underneath the moonlight, surrounded by my friends and family, feeling like we had stepped back in time. It was a night full of laughter, music, and memories that I would treasure forever.

As the party wound down, my parents brought out my birthday cake, which was beautiful and elegant, decorated with musical notes and film reels. I blew out the candles, wishing for many more nights like this one, filled with love, joy, and the magic of old Hollywood.

After the party, my grandmother pulled me aside. “Autumn,” she said, handing me a small, wrapped box. “This is something I’ve been waiting to give you for a long time. It belonged to my mother, and now it’s yours.”

I opened the box to find a delicate locket inside. Inside it was a photo of my grandmother and my grandfather on their wedding day. “Thank you, Gram,” I whispered, hugging her tightly. “This means the world to me.”

As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but smile. My sweet sixteen had been everything I dreamed of and more. For once, Halloween didn’t overshadow my birthday—instead, it added an extra layer of magic to the celebration. I drifted off to sleep, already dreaming of the many adventures that lay ahead, knowing that no matter what the future held, I would always carry a piece of this perfect night with me.

This was written by our co-founder and editor-in-chief, Hanna Perry.