As autumn nears, UND students transition from shorts and T-shirts to sweatshirts and pants in preparation to battle old man winter once again. File photo.

Picture yourself curled up on the couch with a pumpkin spice latte watching a movie with a cuddle buddy. Or imagine you and a friend taking a walk through a forest of changing colors or eating a caramel apple. You’re smiling right?

Of all the seasons the Midwest is blessed with, autumn is by far the one I look forward to the most.

The best part of fall is the weather; it’s simply fantastic to be able to walk outside and not be drenched in sweat or transformed into a human popsicle. It’s cool and comfortable, just the way I like it.

Then there’s the food. I can’t even begin to tell you all how much I look forward to all the delicious goodness that comes with fall weather. When I think of autumn, the first thing that comes to mind are the dinners my mom made growing up.

My dad grows pumpkins in our garden and makes killer pumpkin pies.

Warm pot roast or a big bowl of soup on a brisk fall evening — what could be better than that?

Here’s the answer: apples from an apple orchard. You’ll just have to experience it yourself to truly believe me.

Even the coffee shops and bakeries haul out the autumn spirit. Everything is pumpkin pie or apple cinnamon flavored.

Next, clothing.

Remember when we first got to campus and you felt the need to shower at least twice a day because of how hot you’d get? Autumn weather is cool and crisp. You are comfortable with light layers and have far more possibilities of outfit choices. For us women it’s a whole new world of possibilities.

Every girl loves yoga and leggings — most guys love them too — and autumn is the best time to pair these with a oversize sweater or your favorite broken-in sweatshirt. Sporting such classics with a cute pair of boots or flats is pretty close to a girl’s definition of perfection.

I will be honest and say I think you are a complete nut if you don’t think autumn is absolutely breathtaking.

Mary Ochs is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].