For the past six months, my 6-year-old and I shared a running joke about 67. It was harmless, silly fun, and he absolutely loved it — so much that I couldn’t help but join in. It felt light, nostalgic, and pure. But then school started again, and everything changed. One day I made the familiar joke and he just looked at me, shook his head, and said, “Dad… it’s 89 now. Everyone knows that.”

To him, 67 was last year. Culture had already moved on.

Now it’s 89.

That moment said everything. Trends shift quietly before adults notice. Kids always catch it first — and if you’re paying attention, you realize just how early you really are.