There it sits on the shelf, a box a bit frayed at the edges, yet filled with countless memories: Connect Four. Every night, my mom and I would engage in epic battles of red and yellow discs, our laughter echoing through the house. Each game was a dance of strategy and wit, and with every click of a disc, my mom wasn’t just playing a game—she was preparing me for life.

From those nightly games, I learned to think several steps ahead, a skill that’s come in handy more times than I can count. Whether navigating the tricky waters of a career or simply planning a weekend getaway, those Connect Four sessions made me a master strategist. My mom, my playmate, and my teacher, instilled in me the importance of foresight and patience.

Now, the torch has passed to my son. He, too, loves Connect Four, though these days, the glow of the Xbox often outshines our old favorite. Yet, I insist on dusting off the box and challenging him to a game now and then. There’s something so crucial about child’s play. It’s a gymnasium for the brain, a place where creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are honed.

As a psychologist, I can wax poetic about the importance of play for brain development. But honestly, it’s those simple moments of connection and joy that stay with you. The clink of the discs, the triumphant shout of “Connect Four!”—those are the echoes of a happy childhood, the foundation upon which I’ve built my life and career.

So here’s to Connect Four, and to my mom, the greatest strategist I’ve ever known. And here’s to passing on the love of play, because in those little plastic discs, we find the building blocks of life.