The Golden In-Between Month | An Ode To September

 I think of September as the golden month, predominantly because that is how the light feels; honey-hued strands filtering through leaves that are just beginning to bloom into burgundy and fireside orange. A freshness creeps through the air; sticky humidity gently blown away with a cool breeze. My favourite part of a summer’s day is the evening, the golden hour. There is a relief from the heat but still warmth in the air, the sun creating a magic glow. September is the golden hour of the summer, a fleeting lovely in-between month as the seasons melt into each other. I like the back and forth; jumping between jeans and summer dresses as the temperatures dance about, final BBQs and ice creams interspersed with the first signs of leaves on the turn, a shiny lone conker spotted on the ground. Blackberry picking in warm, soft sunshine. Mild days, cosy evenings, chilly mornings. 

That refreshing new-school year feeling that always has me wanting to buy a fresh notebook even though I don’t need one. It has me shaking out limbs that have been languishing in the humid air and want to get organised, shake things up a bit. Arthur turning six months felt like we were saying goodbye to those sunny newborn days. We were both in need of a little more stimulation now and we’ve started baby yoga and tumble tots each week. I’ve had a restlessness around the house, wanting to move things around, update photos, get new curtains. Have it looking nice and fresh before we hunker down for the colder months. 

The feeling has felt particularly poignant this year as we started looking around schools for Alfie. I have literally been amongst kids with their new pencil cases, trying to imagine my baby joining them in less than a year’s time. Our annual September holiday was laced with a little melancholy as this is the last year we won’t be confined to school holidays. We have often gone away in September, and it has always been my favourite time of year to do so; I will miss it. 

There’s the familiarities of September that are as comforting as pulling on a favourite jumper. Perusing candles for the autumn, booking pumpkin patches and Christmas lights, doing the little dance by my sock drawer every evening… is it cool enough for the fluffy socks?

Whereas August melts into September, October seems to arrive with announcement, leaves whipping around in sharper winds, the smell of spice hitting your nostrils, soft golds replaced with vibrant reds. All confirming that, yes, we are definitely here now. Soon there will be glowing pumpkins, the skies will sparkle with dancing fireworks and windows will illuminate with decorated trees. Autumn has arrived.