a neon green remote-controlled car, rainbow building blocks, and an even flashier ride-on car, complete with blinking lights and cartoon sound effects. The living room, which was usually a minimalist beige haven, was now a vibrant explosion of color. As Evan tore into the gifts with wild excitement, Brittany looked on, clutching her coffee mug tightly. By the end of the morning,
she didn’t dare toss any of the toys in the trash. Evan, still wearing his superhero cape, hugged me tightly, declaring it the best Christmas ever. Watching him race around, laughing with pure joy, I realized something important: childhood isn’t meant to match the drapes. It’s meant to be bright, loud, messy, and full of happiness. And if Brittany didn’t get that? Well, she’d better get used to color because this family was done living in beige.