
Growing up, I dressed up in costumes and trick-or-treated. My parents decorated with basic Halloween things usually bought from the grocery store. I also took interest in illusionists like David Copperfield and puzzles. I always liked to know how to do things that amazed others. In high school, I decided that what I wanted to have a career in was special effects. I wanted to be the person that made the behind the scenes magic so when you watched the movie you would see a zombie or alien, not a guy in a suit with makeup. I went to school and learned mechanical puppetry, makeup effects, set design, etc.
A year or two later, I had a crisis. I was going to church (still do) and couldn't see how Halloween worked being a Christian and all. I struggled with it for several years, wanting to decorate but not wanting to be anti-church. I didn't want to take part in a pagan thing.

For me, Halloween is about having a spooky fun time with my family, decorations, costumes, and candy. Plus for me, it's a time to create props and decorations to try to add spookiness to our home, at least for a month out of the year.