The door is opened for just a minute. You try to close it as quickly as you can. But it’s too late; you have already been struck by the sticky, oppressive heat outside. Sadly, that is the fate of a Kansas Citian in summer. Even those who love heat and worship the sun admit that Kansas City can just be too much sometimes.

But as the weather begins to cool, and those pesky bugs begin to leave – I’m looking at you, mosquitoes – we can all breathe again. When you can stop breathing like an overweight dog that just went on a long walk, but rather in a light, fresh and crisp way, that is when you know fall has arrived. And it is the best!

Fall is a time for red, orange, yellow and even purple leaves that crunch under your feet. It is a time for sweaters and boots and scarves, which is great for all those fashionistas out there. It is also a time for pumpkin spiced everything – which is a bit ridiculous in my opinion, but, hey, if it makes people happy, who am I to judge?

While I may not support the plethora of fake, chemical-tasting pumpkin products, I do love pumpkins. They are the basis of so many of the greatest traditions celebrated here in America. They are essential to both Halloween and Thanksgiving, two of the most fun holidays of the year. One involves free candy, and the other, feasting until you are more stuffed than the turkey.

In October, pumpkins are turned into jack-o-lanterns, which illuminate from every porch and stoop. The tradition originated in Ireland and got its name from a legend about a man called Stingy Jack, who was a clever man who gave into vices. He tricked Satan to never take him to hell, but he was not allowed into heaven either, so he was forced to roam earth until the end of time with only an ember in a turnip as light. This tradition and story were brought over to America by Irish immigrants.

Another story of immigrants comes to mind when I think of fall. Thanksgiving takes place on the third Thursday of November every year, and we all know its story well from some grade school play we were forced to perform. Long story short, the Indians helped the English settlers survive a harsh winter because they taught them how to properly grow crops.

How does a pumpkin fit into this, you ask? Pumpkin pie, of course. Well, maybe not the kind we are used to today, but in some form they were there. Many pies today are bought pre-made. Others, the homemade kind, usually call for some eggs, condensed milk, spices and a can of pumpkin. You can thank Libby’s meat-canning company for that little gem when they came up with the revolutionary idea of canning pumpkin for the pumpkin pie in 1929.

However, pumpkins aren’t the only delectable treats associated with fall. The apple plays a pretty large role too. A glass of warm apple cider, a fat slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream, caramel apples, just a fresh, crisp, juicy apple all on its own. All of these are classic fall favorites.

And we can’t forget bobbing for apples. This tradition came from the Roman invasion of England, and the mix of their traditions that followed. The Romans brought apples with them, and the pentagram shape formed by the seeds was meant to predict marriages in the Celtic culture. Young unmarried people, usually women, would tie their hands behind their back, and the first person to bite an apple was supposedly the next to get married. Today, it is just a fun game usually played by kids because adults realize how many germs are actually being spread.

And no, I haven’t forgotten about all of the Disney Channel Original Movies and other classics like Hocus Pocus that only feel right at this time of year. They are further proof that there is something magical about fall that separates it from all the other seasons.

Fall is a time when one can breathe and shed their worries like the trees shed their leaves. It is a time steeped in history and tradition. And as a lover of both of those, fall is my favorite. It doesn’t have to be yours, but if you say summer is you favorite, you should really re-evaluate that decision.