There’s something comforting about the click-clack of plastic checkers falling into place. It’s the sound of childhood sleepovers, rainy afternoon giggles, and competitive sibling showdowns. And this week, with my niece and nephew visiting, that sound filled the house once again.

We set up the bright blue grid of Connect 4 on the coffee table — you know the one, with the bold red and sunny yellow discs that look like cheerful little coins. My nephew called dibs on yellow, declaring it the “fastest color,” while my niece chose red, “because strawberries.” Who could argue with logic like that?

Now, if you haven’t played in a while, Connect 4 is a lovely little brain teaser wrapped in simplicity. Drop a disc into the grid, and try to make a line of four—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—before your opponent beats you to it. But oh, the suspense! Every move matters. Every column is a decision. And the victory dances? Unforgettable.

There were squeals when my nephew pulled off a sneaky diagonal win. My niece, ever the dramatic one, threw her hands up in exaggerated defeat, only to win the next round with a “sneaky sandwich trap” — her words, not mine. We even invented a house rule where the winner has to sing their own victory song (and let me tell you, there were some spectacular performances).

Beyond the giggles and the playful rivalry, what touched me most was how this classic game brought us all together. No screens, no complicated rules — just connection, one disc at a time. There’s something magical about that.

So, here’s to the return of the classics. To the games that fit in a small box but leave big memories. And to red, yellow, and the joy of being together.

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