October has a way of slowing us down. The air turns crisp, the days shorten, and we start reaching for cozy blankets and warm drinks. It’s also the season of carving pumpkins, a tradition that takes something ordinary and, with a little time and creativity, turns it into something that glows.

In many ways, our connections with others are the same. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let days slip by without checking in. But just like carving a pumpkin, making time for the people who matter most can bring light into the season.

Maybe it’s gathering around the table for a messy, seed-scooping pumpkin session. Maybe it’s a quick phone call to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Or maybe it’s sharing photos of your fall adventures with family who live too far away to join in person. However it happens, these small acts of connection create the memories that carry us through long after the pumpkins have faded.

This October, as you carve your jack-o’-lanterns, let them remind you to carve out time for connection, too. Light up your porch with pumpkins, and light up someone’s day with your presence, laughter, and love. After all, connection, like a glowing pumpkin on a cool autumn night, shines brightest when it’s shared.