By Kate Goodwin

With my senior year of college on the horizon, I often find myself looking nostalgically back on the fond memories of my childhood. Transitioning from a collegiate range of responsibilities to full fledged adulthood can be quite intimidating. I find solace in reminiscing about the simple joys of girlhood during the 2000’s/2010’s. One of my most sentimental memories is the innocent and timeless tradition of the sleepover. 

Let’s set the scene: 

It’s 6:00pm on a Saturday. You impatiently get in your mom's minivan. You’re accompanied in the backseat with your sleeping bag, toiletry essentials, a change of clothes, and favorite pillow pet. Matchbox Twenty’s ‘3AM’ plays faintly on the radio. After a short drive, you finally arrive at your best friend’s house. While the parents converse in the driveway, you join the gracious hostess and eight other besties in the basement downstairs. This reunion couldn’t come sooner; you’ve had a long week and as we all know, fourth grade can be tough. With much to discuss and sleeping arrangements to sort out, the girls waste no time breaking down the latest happenings, crushes, and pop culture developments that are oh so personal. After everything is settled and maybe a few outfit and/or hairstyle changes, dinner is served: pizza delivered from the local Italian place close by. It absolutely hits the spot. The night transitions into maybe some more gossip, games, and the all important movie selection. With Aquamarine queued up in the DVD player, everyone gathers around the basement TV. The popcorn is flowing. Your mom never lets you have soda this late. The first to fall asleep usually taps out about halfway through the film, leaving them vulnerable to a hilarious prank pertaining to a bowl of warm water or maybe even a mustache drawing. At this point it is way past your bedtime; it might even be 11:30pm! The movie finishes and you gleefully fall asleep after everyone finishes giggling for no reason in particular. You wake up at a crisp 8:00am. The parents hosting generously prepared a wide array of breakfast items. If you’re lucky some donuts might even be available. You quickly pack up your things because you know your mom is coming at 9:30 sharp. You say your goodbyes, sad in the moment but content in knowing you’ll see all of them at school the next day. 

When I look back on these experiences from my childhood that I cherish now, I am reminded that what I enjoyed the most is slowing down and being present with people I care about. Incorporating those little joyous moments into my life now is what comforts me the most about growing up and transitioning into adulthood. Although that era has passed, that doesn’t mean the feeling is gone too.