Woman Gives Candy on Halloween to Little Girl Wearing the Same Kind of Dress Her Missing Husband Used to Make — Story of the Day

This was the first Halloween Kate’s daughter would celebrate without her father. Kate still hadn’t moved on from her husband’s disappearance. Seeing her daughter smile again made Kate forget everything. But when she saw the same dress Carl used to make on a different girl, her heart skipped a beat.

It was almost Halloween, and the air was filled with the crispness of autumn. Leaves crunched underfoot outside, and the neighborhood was slowly transforming into a festive, spooky wonderland.

Outside her cozy home, Kate was busy decorating, determined to make everything perfect for her daughter, Holly.

The lawn was already filled with a jumble of decorations — plastic bats, fake cobwebs, and flickering pumpkins.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate stood on a stool, carefully stringing up the bats while Holly followed closely behind, bringing her own items to contribute.

Holly’s enthusiasm made Kate smile, but the little girl had her own unique ideas about Halloween. Holly didn’t quite understand the concept of “spooky.”

Instead of creepy decorations, she carried her favorite pink dolls and a fluffy teddy bear, arranging them carefully on the front porch, right next to the jack-o’-lanterns.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate watched with amusement as Holly placed her toys in a neat line. She admired her daughter’s creativity but knew it was time to explain, yet again, what Halloween was all about.

“Sweetheart,” Kate began, her voice soft, “Halloween is supposed to be spooky, not cute.”

She smiled gently, realizing she had explained this a thousand times, but Holly was only five — she had her own ideas.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Holly looked up at her mother with wide, curious eyes.

“But why, Mommy? Why does it have to be spooky?” she asked, her tiny hands clutching her beloved teddy bear.

Kate chuckled softly, stepping down from the stool.

“Well, that’s just how Halloween works,” she explained patiently.

“It’s a time when people dress up in costumes and pretend to be scary, just for fun. But it’s okay if we make it a little cute too.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Holly still seemed unconvinced, her brows furrowed in thought. But after a moment, she nodded and shrugged.

“Okay, Mommy.” Then, her face lit up. “Can I wear the costume that Daddy made me last year?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Kate’s heart clenched at the mention of Carl, her husband who had disappeared without a trace six months ago.

It felt like a sudden punch to the stomach, wiping the smile from her face.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For a moment, she froze, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for a bat decoration to hang up.

“No, sweetheart,” Kate said softly, her voice catching in her throat.

“I’ll make you a new costume this year.”

“But I liked Daddy’s costume,” Holly protested, her voice tinged with disappointment.

“Do you think he’ll come back for Halloween?” she added innocently.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The question hung in the air like a heavyweight. Kate’s heart ached, but she forced a smile, kneeling to Holly’s level and brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“I don’t think he’ll be back, darling,” Kate said, her voice gentle but filled with sadness.

The ache of not knowing what had happened to Carl never left her, but she had to be strong — for Holly.

Later that evening, the excitement in the air was almost tangible.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate knelt before Holly, making sure every detail of her daughter’s new costume was perfect.

Holly could hardly stand still, her small feet bouncing with anticipation, her candy bucket already gripped tightly in one hand.

“Hold still for just one more second, sweetie,” Kate said with a smile, adjusting the hood of Holly’s cape and giving it a final tug to make sure it sat just right.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Do you have everything? Your bucket, your flashlight, your cape — everything ready?”

“Yes, Mom!” Holly said, her voice bubbling with excitement. She tugged on her mother’s sleeve impatiently.

“Can I please go now? My friends are waiting!”

Kate couldn’t help but laugh at Holly’s eagerness. The pure joy on her daughter’s face was contagious, and for a brief moment, all the worry and sadness Kate carried about Carl’s disappearance melted away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Alright, go on,” she said, pulling Holly in for a quick hug before letting her go. “Be safe and have fun.”

Holly flashed a wide, bright smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement, before running off to join her friends.

A small group of children, all dressed in colorful costumes, was already waiting at the end of the street, their laughter echoing in the night.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate watched Holly as she disappeared into the sea of costumes, feeling a sense of joy at seeing her daughter so happy.

With a contented sigh, Kate turned back toward the house and started preparing a big bowl of candy for the trick-or-treaters who would soon come knocking.

Before long, the doorbell rang, and the familiar chorus of “Trick or treat!” filled the air.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate greeted each group of children with a warm smile, dropping candy into their eager buckets and laughing at their colorful costumes.

But then, a little girl appeared on the doorstep, and Kate’s smile froze.

The girl was dressed in a cute little coat with a bouncy cape, and for a moment, Kate’s breath caught in her throat.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The costume looked so familiar — too familiar. It was just like the ones Carl used to make. The same fabric, the same intricate details, and the same bouncy cape.

Kate’s mind raced back to when Carl would sit at the sewing machine, working on costumes for Holly, explaining how to make the cape float just right.

“That’s a beautiful costume you have, sweetheart,” Kate said, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Where did you get it?”

The little girl beamed up at her.

“My father made it! Do you like it?”

Kate’s heart pounded. “Yes,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s beautiful… and the cape is bouncy, isn’t it?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The girl nodded eagerly.

“My father says it’s better this way.”

Kate was stunned. Could it be? No, it couldn’t. Carl had been missing for so long.

This had to be a coincidence… right? But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, something deep inside her wouldn’t let it go.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Unable to stop herself, Kate leaned down and gently asked the little girl,

“Would you mind showing me where your house is? I’d love to ask your father how he made that costume. Maybe he can help me make one for Holly.”

The girl smiled, her innocence shining through.

“Sure! I live just a few streets away,” she said, pointing in the direction of her home.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate’s heart raced as soon as she closed the door behind the girl. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to this.

Could it really be Carl? After all these months, was he just a few streets away? Her mind was spinning, filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

Without hesitating, she grabbed her coat, threw it over her shoulders, and followed the girl’s directions.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

What if it really was Carl? What would she say? What would he say? As much as she wanted answers, she was afraid of what she might find. Still, she couldn’t turn back now. She had to know.

As Kate approached the house the little girl had described, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

There, standing in the doorway, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, was Carl. Her Carl.

The man she had loved, the man she had grieved for. He was alive. He was right there in front of her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Carl spotted her almost immediately, and his face changed. There was no doubt — he recognized her.

His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, they both stood frozen, just staring at each other.

Kate’s heart pounded in her chest as she took a few hesitant steps toward him. The only word she could manage to say was, “Hi.”

Carl swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Hi,” he replied, just as quietly.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words and emotions.

Kate could feel a flood of questions bubbling up inside her, but none of them seemed to come out.

Her voice trembled when she finally managed to speak again.

“How have you been?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Carl sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as if trying to find the right words.

“I’m sorry, Kate. I didn’t want to disappear like that. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”

Kate’s heart pounded faster.

“The truth?” she repeated, her voice shaking. “What truth?”

Carl looked away, guilt written all over his face. “I met someone else,” he admitted quietly.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Her name is Rachel, and… I fell in love with her. That little girl, she calls me her father now. They’re my family.”

The words hit Kate like a ton of bricks. Her heart shattered. She could barely breathe as the reality of what he was saying sunk in.

“And what about me? What about Holly? We’re your family too,” she said, her voice barely holding back the hurt.

“I know,” Carl said softly, his eyes full of regret. “But I couldn’t live in two worlds anymore. I had to choose.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Kate stood in silence, her heart aching with every breath. “And you chose them,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I’m sorry,” Carl said, his voice thick with regret. He looked down, avoiding her gaze. “Is there anything I can do to make it right?”

Kate swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to stay composed. “Just be happy,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “That’s all you can do. We’ll try to be happy too.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Before Carl could respond, a woman appeared in the doorway behind him. “Who is this, Carl? What’s going on?” she asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.

“Rachel, please,” Carl began, turning toward her. But Kate had already made up her mind. She didn’t need to hear more.

Without a word, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy but resolute. The Carl she had known was gone. It was time to let go and move on.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As she approached her house, she saw Holly running toward her, her candy bucket nearly overflowing.

Holly’s smile was bright and full of joy, lighting up the evening. Kate knelt down, wrapping her arms tightly around her daughter.

At that moment, she realized that all she needed was right here, with Holly. It was time to start living again, just the two of them.

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: For Lisa, agoraphobia wasn’t just a disorder—it was her entire life. She hadn’t left her apartment in years and lived only by watching other people through their windows. She made up stories about the people she saw in her head, but her life changed when she decided that one of them needed her help.

Dirt and mess don’t stand a chance with these 11 Amazon best sellers

The spring-cleaning season can become your favorite time of the year if you use these 11 best sellers from Amazon. These products and tools will leave your house sparkling clean, helping you get rid of the most stubborn stains in the blink of an eye. Buy these brilliant cleaners today, and say goodbye to dust, dirt, grime, limescale, and mold in your house!

1. Amazon customers never stop buying this wonder-working toilet cleaning stone. Its ergonomic, heavy-duty plastic handle will help you avoid touching the dirt with your hands. The stone quickly removes hard water stains, limescale, and stubborn dirt that other tools and cleaners can’t remove. The before and after photo collage below speaks louder than words!

4,500+ ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After watching the wife try a lot of other methods which didn’t work for removing mineral ring stains in the toilet, I did my own research and discovered pumice stones. I ordered these without any expectations, but they actually worked. We have well water and the stains came off pretty easily with this product. A few minutes of light scrubbing, so it took less than 15 minutes for 4 toilets. I would recommend this product. — Pao

Buy this item on AMAZON here

2. This bathroom foam cleaner is a real hit on Amazon with more than 11,000 ratings. Its non-drip formula clings to surfaces quickly removes dirt, and prevents limescale. The product will make your bathroom sparkle and smell amazing whenever you use it. This safe, easy-to-use, and family-friendly product removes dirt, grease, soap, and grime from surfaces, leaving them shiny and squeaky clean.

11,100+ ratings
4.3 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This stuff is amazing! Let me tell you, my bathroom tiles were disgusting and completely discolored. I tried everything to get them clean and nothing worked. I’m so glad I searched online and found this cleaner. My bathroom tiles look like new now! — Maryann

Buy this item on AMAZON here

3. You won’t recognize your bathroom after using this all-purpose bathroom cleaner. Its unique formula attacks dirt, grime, soap scum, and hard water stains to make your bathroom shine. The product creates an invisible coating to keep surfaces clean for longer periods of time. This cleaner repels bathroom grime, scum, and dirt, so you won’t have to clean as often.

900+ ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My tub looks brand new! I have been looking for a cleaner that would get in the cracks and crevices of my tub, and this worked wonders. I sprayed the entire tub, came back after 5–10 minutes and wiped everything down with a damp cloth. It took me no longer than 10 minutes to clean, and it looks like new. I would say that the smell isn’t the best. I would recommend opening a couple of windows before you spray. Overall, it’s a great bathroom cleaner. — Diane McFadgen

Buy this item on AMAZON here

4. Say goodbye to rust stains with this rust remover gel. It works equally well on a variety of surfaces, including bathtubs, clothes, carpets, sinks, toilets, furniture, etc. Even if you’ve tried everything to remove those pesky rust stains and nothing worked so far, give this product a try, and you won’t regret it.

600+ ratings
4.2 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had rust stains on my stainless steel outdoor utility sink. It’s probably a cheap stainless that was used, and it was streaked with rust stains. I applied the product to the stains and in a few minutes they disappeared. Then I used it on one of my sailboats sails that had rust stains, and they also disappeared. This product eats rust! — kim hanford

Buy this item on AMAZON here

5. This portable carpet cleaner is great for removing and deodorizing pet messes, spills, and tough stains. It’s ideal for cleaning carpets, upholstery, car interior and more. Compact and lightweight, it can be easily carried around the house as you do the cleaning. The built-in hose rinse flushes the machine with water to remove any dirt and debris. Removable water tanks guarantee simple usage.

900+ ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This product works great in that it’s easy to use and has great suction power. The clean water tank goes fast, but it’s worth all the dirt and grime that is extracted from the seats. I’m never worried about spilling food or drink on my seats again because the cleanup will be easy.
    I add in some fabric carpet cleaner too. Just turn the power button and it’s ready to go. I would buy another one. — Andrew Montgomery

6. Here is another portable carpet and upholstery cleaner. This powerful appliance works great on carpets, stairs, upholstery, car interiors, and more. For your ultimate convenience, the package includes stain-removing tools and a cleaning formula. The cleaner combines superior suction and scrubbing action, which guarantees amazing results after each use.

10,600+ ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have several cats and a dog, which seem to leave food and dirt stains everywhere. I purchased this item for myself. I loved it so much I purchased three more for my pet loving adult children for Christmas. They each sent me pictures of them using it within days. It is a game changer!
    I now clean up a small spot when I find it, no longer waiting for the future’s «big» professional carpet cleaning. I learned the hard way that you must clean it up when finished. Letting it sit for a couple of days resulted in a stinky and more complicated process. If you have a pet, you really need this product! — Sharon S.

7. No more bending or kneeling while cleaning with this electric spin scrubber. The set includes 4 brush heads that you can use for various cleaning purposes. The tool can be used for cleaning showers, bathtubs, tiles, grout, grooves, toilets, etc. The extendible handle will allow you to use the tool while standing, so there’s no need to bend. The appliance can be used for about 90 minutes after only 3.5 hours of fast charging.

13,800+ ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OMG, where has this thing been all my life. This is my elderly mother’s bathroom, I moved in recently and finally tackled this mess. Cleaning bathtubs is very awkward, leaning over, trying to put elbow grease on cleaning the tub can be hard. This does all the work for you. Just remember to spray and soak for 15–30 minutes ahead of time. — Laura

8. This brush with a non-slip handle is ideal for scrubbing pots, pans, dishes, and more. Its nylon bristles are safe for non-stick surfaces, while the built-in scraper effectively removes baked-on dirt. Thanks to its clever design, the brush will clean all corners and crevices of pots and pans. The ergonomic handle guarantees a firm grip even if your hands are wet. The tool is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

25,900+ ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It’s very durable and functional. I love this dish brush! I ordered my first one over a year ago, and have made repeat orders. It’s the best dish brush I’ve found.
    The bristles are firm, but not «hard». Just right. It’s a good size and great quality. I give it a good workout, as I seldom use a dishwasher, and it holds out for a long time. — Mellie

9. This toilet cleaning brush has a unique design that allows it to reach the under-rim area of the toilet bowl. Its dense and flexible bristles clean the surface thoroughly, leaving no stains, effectively removing odors and keeping your bathroom fresh. The set includes a convenient holder that catches water drips from the brush, eliminating mess and odors.

4,200+ ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cleaning under the rim of the toilet completely is always a challenge, so when I saw this S-shaped brush, I decided to try it. It really does fit up under the rim of the toilet bowl! Not only does the curved brush fit up under the rim of the toilet bowl, it goes well down into the hole in the bottom of the bowl for complete cleaning.
    The bristles are stiff enough to give it a good scrubbing. The handle is easy to hold, and it has a loop on the handle end if you want to hang it for storage, or you use the holder it comes with. — Claudia M

10. Take proper care of your hands while cleaning with these multipurpose vinyl gloves. The thick clear plastic material helps avoid tearing and puncturing, yet it offers enough stretch for finger flexibility. Whether you use these gloves in the kitchen or while cleaning various surfaces around the house, they offer reliable protection against chemicals and odors.

23,100+ ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I bought these gloves to use while I’m painting and they work well. They cover my hands completely and seal out most of the paint that I’m using. Also, they don’t restrict my hands in any way. — Star Root Press (Consignment)

11. With this DIY mold test kit, you can find out whether there is unseen mold in your house or not. The item shows visible results in as little as 48 hours. The test kit can be used both indoors and outdoors, and it includes everything you need to perform the test, including a Petri dish, a swab, and mold growth medium. Optional laboratory analysis is available. For an additional fee, you can mail the results to determine the mold type.

7,000+ ratings
4.0 out of 5 stars

Promising review:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After weeks of a chronic cough and congestion with me, difficulty breathing for my husband and our baby being congested with a rash, we decided to do an at home mold test of our rental. The results shocked us! We were not expecting this. We have no visible mold in our apartment.
    We did an open air test in our bedroom, a swab test of our bathroom, and an air test of our HVAC system. All of them came back positive! The process to complete the test is extremely easy. I highly recommend getting it if you think you might be living with mold. — JILLIAN

Even those of us who love cooking would probably like the idea of spending less time in the kitchen. This is possible when you have these 11 Amazon best sellers by your side. These clever kitchen tools and accessories will make cooking simple, enjoyable, and mess-free while saving space in your drawers.

Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. Reviews may have been edited for length and clarity.

Preview photo credit Kindle Customer / AmazonLaura / Amazon

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