It wasn't my idea. When I was 10 and she was 9, my girl cousin decided that she wanted to go as a boy and suggested to our moms that I go as a girl. On Halloween morning before school my aunt and cousin showed up to borrow some of my clothes for her costume. I was presented with their idea, a wig, my cousin's dress and shoes. I quickly rejected the suggestion but our moms were even quicker going to work on me.

I was still refusing when my aunt was putting make up on me and I was in this frilly pink dress, blond pigtails, knee socks and patent shoes. My cousin wore a baseball cap, a sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers. I was teased to no end at school, even by my teacher. That night I was not recognized and asked several times what I was supposed to be. My cousin was too happy to answer for me.

That was definitely regrettable and it was the last year that I went trick or treating.