So, yesterday was October 3rd, and if you didn’t know what that meant… well, I’m just a little disappointed because why don’t you know?! Anyway, let me remind you what you missed. Picture it, high school, 2004, Mean Girls had just blessed the world with its plastic perfection, and our beloved Cady Heron, who had exactly 0.0001% people skills at the time, was sitting behind Aaron Samuels the literal human embodiment of a teenage girl’s daydream.

Then, it happened. Aaron turned around, with his perfect hair and perfect smile and asked, “What day is it?”

The world paused. The air shifted. We collectively held our breath.

Cady responded, “It’s October 3rd.”

And that was it the legendary moment. That one line somehow imprinted itself into our collective memories, like that time we all thought skinny jeans were fashionable (they were not, they’re a fashion failure). And instead of fading away with the rest of early 2000s nostalgia, October 3rd became the day, the one date that rises from the ashes, to remind us that we too can be socially awkward and still win over the school’s heartthrob.

But wait, there’s more to this day. Not only was October 3rd coined as the Mean Girls Day, it was also National Boyfriend’s Day apparently. An opportunity to give a shout-out to your significant other, treat him to all his favourite food and gift him an Eminem album. Or, if you are single, just pretend Aaron Samuels was your boyfriend for the day. Honestly, wasn’t that the dream?

Cue the dramatic sighs.

Every year, on October 3rd, the internet loses its mind. People are quoting Mean Girls, wearing pink even though it’s clearly Thursday, and somehow turning the simplest moment in cinematic history into a full-blown holiday, a celebration of millennial and Gen Z pop culture. Like universe gave us permission to be chaotic, and unhinged for just one day.

But why did it become so iconic? Well maybe it was because, in a world where we can’t control much (hello rent and groceries, you demonic presence), we could at least control this, a random, totally unnecessary, but extremely fun celebration of pop culture and love.

Honestly, though, isn’t that why we love it? Because it’s a break from reality. A moment where we can collectively ignore how we’re all drowning in adulthood and pretend we’re back in high school, sneaking snacks into our lockers and hoping the “Burn Book” doesn’t have our names in it. October 3rd is a beacon of simpler times, where your biggest issue was failing a math test and not the actual forest fire that is rent and grocery inflation. It’s like a little time machine where we go back to Regina George’s high school cafeteria, which, let’s be honest, was probably scarier than both.

Now, I don’t want to get too deep here, but… okay fine, I’m going to get deep. Maybe we cling to days like this because they remind us that life can be silly. It can be weird and stupid and full of totally unnecessary drama. Yet, we love it. We need these little moments to breathe, to laugh, to throw a little shade at the world while hiding under the black out blanket of sheer irony. I mean if Cady Heron can survive the Plastics, maybe just maybe we can survive whatever fresh hell life throws our way this week.

So, if you’re reading this and haven’t watched Mean Girls, first of all, who hurt you? Second, you’re missing out on the life lesson that even the most mundane day can become something legendary. And that, my friend, is the real takeaway of the October 3rd.

But oh well, October 3rd has passed now. Hopefully, you wore pink, quoted the movie, and if anyone questioned it, you hit them with the “You can’t sit with us.” And for kids who are in high school right now, just remember, Beware of the plastics.

Oh, and if you have a boyfriend, I hope you sent him a cute text reminding him what day it was. Bonus points if he actually got the reference.

And to all my desi fam, It’s Navratri! Let me see those beautiful Chaniya Cholis ladies! And gentlemen it’s time to show off your kurtas!

From Gujarat to Goa, from Kolkata to Kanyakumari, let’s light it up with garba, dandiya, and some serious energy. Wow, yesterday was the perfect start to some serious celebrations y’all.

May your thumkas be sharp, your kada prasad be sweet, and your festive spirit absolutely unbreakable, now let’s make some noise on the dance floor! Happy Navratri, folks!