Halloween Through a Medium’s Eyes: The Truth About October 31st

Okay, so here’s something that might surprise you: Halloween is hands down one of my favorite holidays. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “Of course it is, Matt, you talk to dead people for a living!” But that’s actually not why I love it.

Last year, getting Royce ready for Halloween, Alexa looks at me and goes, “Do people think our house is haunted year-round?” We both just cracked up. The truth is, our Halloween is probably a lot like yours, maybe with a few extra jokes about ghosts at the dinner table!

Here’s what I’ve learned being a dad during Halloween: This holiday hits differently when you have kids. Last year, Royce went as Winnie The Pooh, and watching him run from house to house yelling “TICK OR TREAT!” at the top of his lungs, that’s when it hit me. Halloween isn’t about spirits or the veil being thin or any of that stuff people always ask me about. It’s about pure, unfiltered joy.

And now with baby Rowan here for his first Halloween? Alexa found the most adorable costume for him. He’s seven months old and has no idea what’s happening, but seeing him in that little costume just melts my heart. We’re those parents who take a million photos now, and I love every second of it.

People always ask me if Halloween feels weird for someone who connects with Spirit every day. You want to know the truth? I love that Halloween gives everyone permission to talk about the afterlife without feeling like a weirdo. The number of times someone has pulled me aside at a Halloween party to whisper, “So, Matt, I had this dream about my mom…” it’s like this holiday opens a door for people to share what they usually keep hidden.

I had this beautiful realization while we were carving pumpkins. Our loved ones in Spirit are right there enjoying Halloween with us. Not in any scary way, but in that warm, familiar way they enjoy all our celebrations. Your grandmother who passed? She’s watching you help your kid with their costume, just like she watched you when you were little. Your dad? He’s smiling as you sneak candy from the trick-or-treat bowl.

My Italian grandmother (who, by the way, would have LOVED seeing Royce in his costume) always said celebrations bring families together, and she didn’t just mean the living ones. She was onto something there.

Now, I need to address something because I get asked about this ALL the time. No, celebrating Halloween does not invite unwanted spirits into your house. Trust me on this. Watching scary movies doesn’t either. Neither does dressing up as a witch or a ghost. You know what I always tell people? Don’t go looking for trouble. Negative energy can only affect you if you invite it in, and putting up fake cobwebs and plastic skeletons isn’t an invitation, it’s just fun decoration!

What really moves me is what happens right after Halloween. While we’re all nursing our candy hangovers, Mexican families are honoring their loved ones with Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. There’s something so beautiful about that tradition. No fear, no running away from death, just pure love and celebration for those who’ve crossed over. It reminds me why I do what I do.

Alexa asked me the other day what my favorite Halloween memory is, and honestly? It’s happening right now. It’s watching our boys grow up with this holiday, creating traditions, seeing Royce try to share his candy with his baby brother (okay, he tried once and then changed his mind, but still). It’s knowing that one day they’ll look back on these Halloweens the same way I look back on mine.

So this Halloween, whether you’re taking your kids trick-or-treating, heading to a party, or enjoying a quiet night in, remember this: Your loved ones in Spirit are enjoying it right alongside you. They’re not the scary ghosts from movies. They’re the ones smiling as you steal your kid’s candy.

The spirits can wait. Halloween is for making memories with the living. And maybe eating way too much candy.

Happy Halloween, everyone! Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice Royce’s superhero poses. Apparently, I’m not doing them right.

With love and light (and lots of candy), Matt