Stanley had always loved Halloween, but it wasn’t always that way. His daughter adored the holiday, and his love for the spooky season grew because of her. When she was little, they’d spend afternoons at pumpkin patches, and he’d drive her around the neighborhood late at night, hunting for the best-decorated houses.

But when he was no longer allowed to see his daughter, what was once a joyful time turned into something bitter and cold. Every time he saw kids dressed as superheroes and princesses, it felt like a punch to the gut. Halloween became something he dreaded.

This year, though, was different. For the first time in what felt like forever, Stanley had both a partner and his daughter back in his life. Last Christmas had brought a miracle—the custody battle with his ex-wife had finally ended, and he was able to see his daughter during the holidays again.

With a smile, Stanley walked into the bedroom and said, “Alright, let’s go find the biggest pumpkin this neighborhood has ever seen.”