Have you ever said something so unexpected that the whole room just stops and stares at you in awe? That was me when I told my classmates and professor that I had never played Go Fish, 21, and had barely even played Monopoly. You would’ve thought I said I don’t believe in gravity or that Floyd Mayweather is a bad boxer. Growing up, my family wasn’t big on-board games. We had them, sure, but they were always knockoff versions or missing pieces. We were a video game family Play Stations in every room, handhelds in our hands. When it came to card games or classic board games, I just never learned. The only card game I knew was War, which my grandma taught me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to learn, I just never had the motivation. But that all changed on Shon’s game night. Playing Blackjack with my classmates was wild. I got lucky on my firsthand I hit 21. Pure luck, but I’ll take it. I felt like a champ. Go Fish was surprisingly fun too. There’s something satisfying about asking for a card, getting it, and making a pair. And when you don’t? Telling someone to “go fish” feels like a small victory in itself. Cards Against Humanity, aka the Bigger, Blacker Box, had me in tears from laughing so hard. The way my peers filled in the blanks with the wildest phrases from the deck was chaotic, hilarious, and downright rambunctious. My classmate Diana told me she loved that part too, saying the laughter was contagious and that it felt good to see everyone loosen up after weeks of stressful assignments. For her, game night was more than just fun, it was a chance to step away from the computer screen and connect with peers face-to-face. What really made the night special wasn’t just the games, it was the people. My classmates didn’t just play with me, they taught me. They explained the rules clearly, made sure I wasn’t left behind, and even celebrated my wins. I caught on quickly, and even though I still have a lot to learn, I felt like I belonged to something I’d never experienced before. Diana said she felt the same way “It was funny seeing how my peers observed each other and how I tried to trick them since I was a part of the mafia.” My classmate Leo shared a similar perspective. He told me, “I’m a big fan of card games and board games in general. So being able to experience that not only with some great companions here at school, but also with someone like yourself who’s never done anything like this before was a really fun experience.” He also admitted he’s a “sucker for blackjack,” but agreed that Mafia was the highlight of the night. “Everyone’s personality came out in that game,” he explained. “It wasn’t just about playing, it was about interacting with each other. You could see the little connections forming, and everyone was having fun.” Hearing my peers go back and forth reflecting on the night made me realize how much we all shared the same excitement and sense of belonging. What started as just a game night became something bigger, a reminder that laughter, learning, and connection can turn even the simplest games into unforgettable experiences.