leah Griffin

My beloved perfume collection.

As I grow, my extraordinary perfume collection grows with me.

Discovering a new perfume marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Each morning, after selectively picking my outfit and critiquing my makeup, I come to the most crucial part of my daily routine – choosing the fragrance I will wear. The delicate floral scent that lingers on my clothes brings cherished memories associated with that perfume.

Into the Night:

This timeless perfume will always bring me back to eighth grade. When I spray it, the hints of midnight jasmine always remind me of the late nights I spent at middle school basketball games. My once-loving friendships are now nothing more than warmhearted memories. The rich amber scent still holds the vivid memories of long nights listening to my comfort songs in my bedroom. This perfume will forever evoke memories of that time—from the irritating arguments with old friends to the new friendships I’m deeply grateful for. Taking the place of a time capsule, this adoring body mist holds many recollections of my middle school years.

Philosophy “Falling in Love:”

If there were to be a scent for spring, it would be Philosophies “Falling in Love.” The smell of sun-ripened blackberries and hints of sparkling jasmine does not compare to my other perfumes. Not only will this perfume always be one of my “first grabs” when choosing a perfume, but it will also remain the most nostalgic among the rest of my collection. The melting winter snow and blooming spring trees bring memories of walking to the park with my younger sister. The familiar scent of this perfume instantly transports me to carefree days—when school was not all-consuming, and my biggest concern was choosing between a hoodie or a t-shirt. Those memories of early summer adventures and creating indomitable bucket lists with my closest friends, all while wearing this cherished fragrance, now encompass me with nostalgia.

Sol De Janeiro 68:

Although I no longer use this perfume daily, it will forever be my favorite. The countless memories I made every day sink into my brain attached to the fruity bloom scent of this perfume. It’s almost as if every memory I make is stored in a folder in my brain, and when I revisit the folder, the first thing that comes to mind is the scent of perfume I wore that day. Ingrained into my brain is the energizing scent of pink dragonfruit and sheer vanilla, a scent that my eighth-grade self once loved. The body mist I would throw on for quick late-night trips to Target or sleepovers with my best friends.

My extraordinary perfume collection sits unattended on a shelf in my room, each scent patiently waiting to be picked for the next few months. The long wait to become nostalgic among the rest of the collection, embodying the many memories I once made.