Key Takeaways
- 1DIY projects do not need to look perfect to feel special.
- 2Trying new looks feels weird at first, so give yourself time to adjust.
- 3Simple dates like bowling and takeout still create real core memories.
- 4Quiet moments with friends can recharge you just as much as a night out.
- 5Supporting your partner’s passions in small ways builds a stronger relationship.
You know those weekends that start with a silly costume idea and somehow turn into a whole mini movie? That was this one.
It was Halloween, almost two in the afternoon, and me and Bae were knee deep in pipe cleaners, wire hangers, and dollar store wands. We decided to be Cosmo and Wanda, which sounds simple until you actually try to build fairy wings from scratch in the middle of your living room.
He learned what DIY means that day. I kept saying, “We’ll just DIY it,” and he finally asked what that even meant. Do it yourself, sir. Apparently we took that a little too literally.
DIY Wings, Real Life Fairies
Our “Pinterest board in real life” moment started with wire hangers shaped into wings, then wrapped with pipe cleaners until they looked bright, fluffy, and actually kind of impressive.
We used:
- Wire hangers as the base
- Pipe cleaners for color and structure
- Yarn to turn them into little backpack straps
- Dollar store pointer sticks for backup wands
At first we thought we would build the wings only from pipe cleaners. That would have taken all day. Using the hangers as a base made them way more secure and less fragile. It is a good reminder that sometimes the “shortcut” is actually the smarter, sturdier option.
When we finished, we were standing there holding these neon fairy wings like, “Wait. We really did that.”
That is my favorite part of DIY. It looks chaotic while you are twisting and taping and stepping over a mess, then at some point it clicks and you see the vision you had in your head sitting right in front of you.
Beauty Supply Runs And Big Head Problems
The costumes were not just wings. I had a whole pink bob wig on the way, and if you have a lot of hair, you already know that part is not simple.
We hit the beauty supply store for:
- A wig cap that could actually fit my head and braids
- Bobby pins
- Pink lipstick to match Wanda
I was clowning myself about having a big head, but I was low key serious. I braided my hair back, slid the wig cap on, and still felt like I had a helmet under there.
Then came the wig moment.
Putting that pink bob on felt intense. It was tight, the bangs were long, and my brain immediately screamed, “Take it off.” I kept asking if it looked big in the back. He kept telling me it was fine. I finally trimmed the bangs, adjusted the cap, and took a breath.
Sometimes it is not that something looks bad. It just feels new. Seeing yourself in a totally different look can be uncomfortable for a second, even when it is cute. You need a little time to let your brain catch up.
Cosmo, Wanda, Bowling, And Letting Yourself Play
Once we were finally dressed, contacts in, hair sprayed green, wings ready, it stopped being a craft project and turned into a night.
We had:
- A couples bowling night
- Ramen that tasted like a hug
- Late night McDonald’s runs
- Inside jokes about how bad I am at bowling
I am always honest about this. I lose at bowling a lot. I can have a great frame and then immediately follow it with a gutter ball. We still talk trash, still cheer, still yell “lock in” when the camera is rolling.
That is the point, though. Being in costume, rolling a ball down a lane, laughing with friends, arguing about who actually won, all of that brings out the kid version of you that just wants to play. Adults forget they are allowed to have that.
Dates do not have to be fancy to be meaningful. Dressing up for Halloween together, running around to grab last minute lipstick, getting hot in a wig and still choosing to enjoy the night, that builds more memories than some perfect, curated plan.
Coffee Friends, Matcha Conversions, And Soft Mornings
The next part of the weekend shifted from loud and neon to slow and cozy. We spent time with friends, tried homemade lattes, and I finally found a matcha I actually like.
If you have ever tried matcha that tastes like grass, you understand why this felt important. Veta made hers with:
- Pistachio
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin cold foam on top
I gave it a suspicious sip and then had to double take because it was actually fire. Sweet, warm, balanced, still matcha but not in a way that made me feel like I was drinking a plant in a cup.
There is something very comforting about sitting in a kitchen while your friend makes drinks from her little at home “coffee bar,” talking about life, laughing at nothing, and just feeling safe. That is a different kind of fun than costumes and clubs, but it matters just as much.
Sideline Life And Being A Soccer Girlfriend
The weekend ended with a colder, quieter scene. Early morning, iced coffee in hand, sitting in the car at his Sunday league game, watching him warm up from behind a cracked windshield.
I used to know absolutely nothing about soccer. Now I find myself:
- Tracking his jersey number like a proud mom
- Writing notes in my phone about plays he made
- Trying to understand the calls and the complaints in Spanish
- Low key giving halftime “interviews” when he runs over to the car
I love that my life includes this now. The drive to the field, the little nerves before the game starts, the quick recap in the car after, the way his face lights up when he talks about a good pass or a rough foul.
Support does not always mean screaming from the stands. Sometimes it is sitting in a warm car with the heater taking forever to kick in, watching your person do what they love, and being the one they look for first when it is over.
Wings, Fries, And Tiny Traditions
Between the soccer game and the drive home, we made a special detour for Bando in Atlanta. Honey lemon pepper wings, ranch tenders, crack fries, garlic breath that could knock someone out, and zero regrets.
We finished the weekend painting tiny clay desserts, eating mushy ice cream straight from the tub, and laughing about how tired we both were.
That is what I want my life to feel like:
- A little bit of glitter
- A lot of laughter
- Good food
- Creative projects
- People I feel at home with
The wings, the wig, the matcha, the soccer field, the late night fries, all of it is part of the same thing. Choosing to be present. Letting yourself be corny and romantic and playful. Building small traditions with the people you love.
If you needed a sign to plan something fun, dress up, try a new drink, or show up for someone in a simple way, take this as your reminder.
