Summer is a season filled with warmth, laughter, and the promise of new adventures. For my little brother and me, one memorable summer included a cooking class that sparked not only our culinary interests but also a family joke that still brings smiles to our faces today.

It all began one sunny morning when my brother and I joined a cooking class. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling pans filled the air as we eagerly donned our aprons. Little did we know that the day would bring more than just cooking lessons.

As we honed our culinary skills, my dad, who had come along to watch, noticed a peculiar pan. It was no ordinary pan; it had an unusual shape that caught everyone’s attention. Dad was fascinated by the pan’s design, and he couldn’t help but mention how its inner layer had a mesmerizing bluish-purple tint. The grooves on its surface intrigued him, and he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

As the week-long cooking class progressed, Dad’s fascination with the pan grew. He would often walk over to the pan and share with my mom the benefits he believed it offered. On the third day of the class, he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm any longer and asked if we could buy it.

Once we arrived home with the pan, Dad was finally able to cook for us. He lovingly prepared a meal, and as we sat down to eat, he asked with a smile, “Am I old?” It was a moment of both humor and genuine joy.

That summer’s cooking class left us with more than just culinary skills—it gave us a lasting family joke that still brings us together with laughter. The “conversation piece” pan reminds us that sometimes, it’s the quirkiest moments that become the fondest memories. As we gather around the dinner table, we not only enjoy Dad’s delicious meals but also the warmth of shared laughter and the enduring tale of the “conversation piece” pan.