TongueTied voices

My mother lives in Sarasota, Florida, and I'm in Boston. We talk regularly, but sometimes life gets in the way. TongueTied has become a bridge that connects us when FaceTime can't.

Our first game fell flat after we mistakenly started in German. My mom still earned credit for her opening word, "surf", which happens to carry the same meaning in both German and English. [Editor's note: You can surf on the Isar river in Munich, though the most famous spot for this is on a controversial hiatus.]

After that mix-up, we switched to English and Spanish, and the competition officially began.

My mom loves TongueTied because it keeps her sharp. Several studies back that up. According to an article in Healthline, playing puzzle games may keep your brain 10 years younger. It's an argument for me to play more, since my 80-year-old mother consistently beats me.

We both love how TongueTied strengthens our relationship. Recently, I forgot it was my turn. When I finally made my move, I got a note from her in the chat that read, "Yay! Back at it. I've missed connecting with you through TongueTied." She then played the word "daycare" for 26 points and won the game.

—Ali, Boston, Massachusetts, USA