My father-in-law is staying the night at our home. He is a calm, laid-back man that I have grown to love. He recalled the story of when I met him for the first time (when I was dating his daughter). "I told him I would treat him the same way he treated my daughter."

We have been tight ever since.

Image By Skitterphoto on Pixabay

Hearts, Hearts, and More Hearts

For as long as I have known my father-in-law, we have played Hearts. Although I grew up playing Hearts on the computer, there is something special and invigorating about playing human opponents.

The whole experience is enhanced by holding the cards in your hand. The banter adds an extra level of intrigue. And we still love each other when all is said and done, no matter who holds bragging rights.

A Game For Three Turned Into a Game For More

As I write this post, I hear laughter and giggling pour out from my dining room. My wife, father-in-law, and my three oldest have gathered around the table.

Many moons ago (two decades worth), I was welcomed into my wife's family. Hearts was my initiation. Now I get to watch my kiddos be pulled into our tradition.

The game of Hearts has been present in good times and bad. Our most bizarre game took place at a local hospital. You might think it would be insensitive to play cards in the hospital waiting room. We are not barbaric!

My wife and I went to visit my father-in-law, the patient. We broke out a deck of cards in his room and started playing. Heart disease can't stop a man who has held cards in his hands for most of his life.

Shooting the Moon

Hearts is one of those games that is easy to learn but hard to master. The following are some of the critical points of our house rules.

• Every heart is a point.
• The Queen of Hearts is 10 points.
• The Queen of Spades is 13 points.
• You must follow suit (if you have it).
• You can sluff a card (play a different suit) if you don't have a card in the suit that was led.
• The goal is not to earn points.
• Once a player gains over 51 points, the game is over.

One unique scenario would cause a player to want to gain points. If you can earn every possible point in one hand (a total of 35), you "shoot the moon." When someone shoots the moon, that player receives zero points, and every other player gains 35 points.

Shooting the moon is hard to do, especially when playing with experienced players. My father-in-law is my "arch nemesis" when it comes to shooting the moon. His final play has stopped me in my tracks countless times.

Image by Ponciano on Pixaby

Outside Of The Box Schooling

Games are a huge part of my family's culture. We cherish those moments in life when learning and fun collide.

The following are a few of the lessons my kids are learning around the table tonight:

• Sorting by suite and in numerical order - hand management
• Addition - keeping score
• Strategy - what does it take to win, what does it take not to lose
• Cause and Effect - play the wrong card and get a lot of points
• Emotional control - keeping your composure in a game helps you know how to do so in life
• Sportsmanship - learning how to be respectful while winning and losing is an important lesson

When play mimics life, our kids grow and have fun at the same time. What a wonderful and unique gift!

Final Thoughts

Nights like tonight continue to shape my kiddos as they learn and grow. Nights like tonight are worth fighting because memories are being made, and we are spending time with the people we love.

I want to hear from you.

1. Have you ever played the game of Hearts?
2. Do you have any special house rules?
3. Do you have a favorite family game?
4. What lessons have you taught your children through games and play?

Thanks for stopping by!
@sumatranate