We all have outfits that exemplify the whimsy inside of us. For me, I have told my students time and time again "these are my happy pants." Happy pants for me are pants that give me flexibility even though I'm completely unflexible. They are pants that have design and material so flimsy you think when you are running, you have no pants on at all. They are pants that do not hug tight but fly free. 

I think some have inquired through the years why it is that I tend to wear oversized clothing. Do you not like tight clothing? Why do you get a medium when you could wear a small? Why do you like big t-shirts? Don't you want a sweatshirt that fits closer?

I think for me, I don't like to feel constricted. Even when I was little, I always wore giant umbro shorts to soccer when the other girls were wearing shorts way above the knee. There is something happy for me about "feeling roomy." Which is a bit hilarious because inside my soul, I tend to run a pretty tight ship. And maybe that's why. Maybe I like to feel that room on the outside to always remember "happy pants equal a happy day and there is always room for a little freedom, a little over-sized spirit. The ship doesn't always have to run so tight."

So now whenever I'm wearing pants that tend to be on the bigger side, my students always tap me on the shoulder and say: "Mrs. Amoscato...are those your happy pants too?" And I always smile in their quick realization that happy pants really do exist for me and because they realize that you can create as many happy pants as you want. Because you dictate the pants. The pants don't dictate you.