Growing up, bridge was the go-to family game. My parents and grandparents played often. My father even played penny-a-point games during his commute into NYC. My transition into duplicate didn't happen until the 2010's though. My mother urged me to join the ACBL and even paid for my first year dues. I've been so lucky to have had great teachers in Illinois, and partners both there and here in Massachusetts. The regional in Newton was a culminating moment, where we won 23 gold points in two tournaments. It was a real rush to actually win an event.