a love letter to apple crisp fall

Pumpkin Spice, pump the brakes. Your moment will come.

Mornings and evenings here in the Midwest have finally embraced that crisp, dewy chill. The first brown, crackling leaves have begun their slow dance with the wind. Meanwhile, the "it" girls of fall have already curated their seasonal watchlists, think pieces, and must-have wardrobes, all dripping in spicy oranges, reds, and moody browns. Fall has officially arrived.

This season has a way of speeding people toward late October, where pumpkin patches, thick-knit sweaters, and the glow of crimson leaves reign supreme. We rush to capture it all—pumpkin spice lattes in hand—hoping to savor each fleeting moment before it slips into winter.

A pang strikes my heart at the thought of fast-forwarding to late fall. It neglects the magic that lives within the early breaths September and early October. We rush so quickly to drown ourselves in pumpkins that we abandon the orchards of apple season without a second thought.

What’s more American than apple pie? Who can resist a scoop of grandma’s apple crisp or glass of cider on a fall day? There’s no better mascot for this delicate autumnal transition than the apple. It’s both wholesome and alluring, a quick healthy snack and the base for indulgent treats. A symbol of love, beauty, and fertility—but also temptation, desire, and sin. The apple thrives in the in-between, just like we do in these fleeting moments between seasons.

We’re in that liminal space now, with summer’s youth and freedom slipping through our fingers. Every so often, we catch glimpses of her—in the noonday warmth, in the last burst of 80° afternoons. But fall, with its quiet maturity, invites us to reflect, to preserve. It whispers of change and reminds us that it’s okay to let go.

Waxing poetics about fall may feel a bit tired, but I’ve always felt intrinsically bound to this season — deeply, spiritually. I can’t quite explain why, but its seismic impact is undeniable. Maybe it’s my name. All my life, people have asked me, “Is that really your name?” or told me how cool it is, and I see it reflected back to me in nearly every shop’s decor section this time of year. Fall just seems to crack me wide open, revealing possibly the most honest and vulnerable version of myself. Might also be my Virgo moon…

In my dress, my friendships, my connection with God, my optimism in love — it all feels free flowing and easy during fall. It’s like a portal opens, a chakra unblocks, and everything clicks into place. Maybe this is what your twenties are meant to feel like: a dewy morning that unfolds into a sun-drenched afternoon, only to slip into a chilly, unpredictable evening. Intoxicating in its uncertainty, just like autumn.

We shouldn’t be so quick to rush past apple season and the gentle days of early fall. There’s a quiet beauty here, in the cool mornings and sunlit afternoons, in the simple sweetness of apples plucked fresh from the tree. It’s a time that invites us to slow down, to savor each moment before the world is swept up in the frenzy of late October. Early fall reminds us that not everything needs to be hurried. Sometimes, the best things come when we let ourselves linger in the in-between.

And that’s all for now! Thank you so so so much for reading. Justice for apples and apple orchards and early fall! I’ve been making a concerted effort to be present, open, and take in every second of it. I’ve been busy in the best way — including being a part of an undefeated slow pitch softball team and starting a YOUTUBE channel!!! Please go check it out and subscribe, if you’d like! Lots of fun to come over there. Between that and this newsletter, I’m feeling so creatively excited and fulfilled and it all feels so magical.

What’s your favorite early fall rituals or traditions?? What are you most excited to do this time of year? Let me know all of your thoughts!!

Until we chat again!

Autumn