The living room buzzed with laughter and chatter as early guests started to arrive, bringing with them the warm, comforting smell of home-cooked dishes and the sound of cheerful greetings.

While setting up the snack table, the doorbell rang. I wiped my hands on my apron and hurried to answer it. A delivery man stood there, holding a large box with a cheerful “Happy Birthday!” sticker plastered on the side.

“For you,” he said, handing me the box that was surprisingly heavy.