A Halloween Throwback: My Cringy On-Camera Debut!

Happy Halloween, friends! 🎃 Today, I’m digging deep into the archives to share a throwback story that’s good for more than a few laughs. Grab some candy corn and get cozy because this tale takes us all the way back to my first big on-camera moment… and it’s a doozy!

Let’s set the scene: It was my first year working in Clemson University’s communication department. I was 18, brimming with energy, and absolutely full of life (and maybe a touch of that youthful overconfidence we all had back then). My hair was dark, pulled back in a banana clip—the absolute height of ’80s fashion, of course—and I thought my tiny frame was anything but. Funny how perspectives change!

Back then, I had my heart set on making a mark, but I certainly didn’t think my on-camera debut would be quite so memorable—for all the wrong reasons. There I was, wide-eyed and full of ideas, stepping into my first-ever role “as the lead” on camera, sharing Halloween costumes that we thought would add some fun and flair. And let me tell you, I was having fun… even if it wasn’t exactly a polished performance.

You know what makes it even better? In those days, editing wasn’t the digital breeze we know today. I edited videos with an exacto knife and tape. Yes, literal tape splicing, done with the careful precision of someone trying desperately not to ruin the whole thing. (How did we ever manage?!)

Fast forward to today, and here I am, happily curvy, with hair as white as snow, editing videos on the go with my phone like it’s nothing. It’s incredible how far we’ve come, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every season of life has its own magic—and plenty of giggles.

But back to that Halloween debut: Looking back, it’s equal parts cringeworthy and endearing. I still had a lot to learn, but younger me sure did have a blast embracing the moment. And that’s something I try to carry with me today: the joy, the laughter, and the willingness to look silly if it means making a memory.

So, if you’re in the mood for some Halloween laughs and a glimpse of 18-year-old me, in full costume and with plenty of banana-clip attitude, you have to watch the video. Link is in my bio, and I promise it’s worth it. Go ahead and enjoy a giggle or two!

Embrace every season of life, friends—banana clips, costume fails, and all. Happy Halloween! 🧡👻

Want to keep reading? Try Dizzy Days and Determination: No sick days on the Farm, or Farm Fashion: Earrings, Overalls, and Feeling Good in Your Own Skin.