The Grandparents’ Anniversary

The weekend marked a special occasion: Ji-ae's grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary. Ji-ae wanted to make it unforgettable, so she planned a surprise party with Min-jun's enthusiastic help. Their relationship had become a pillar of strength for her, and she was excited to share this joyous moment with him.

On the morning of the anniversary, Ji-ae woke up early to decorate the house while her grandparents were out on a morning walk. She strung up banners and balloons, set the table with a beautiful arrangement of flowers, and prepared a traditional Korean feast with all her grandparents' favorite dishes. Min-jun arrived shortly after, carrying a cake and a bouquet of flowers.

"Wow, Ji-ae, you've really outdone yourself," Min-jun said, looking around the decorated living room. "Everything looks amazing."

Ji-ae beamed at him. "Thanks, Min-jun. I wanted to make it perfect for them."

Together, they put the finishing touches on the decorations. Min-jun, always the jokester, tried to balance a balloon on his nose, making Ji-ae laugh so hard she nearly dropped a bowl of kimchi.

"Careful, you're going to ruin my masterpiece," she teased, trying to catch her breath.

"Sorry, I'll behave," Min-jun said, grinning. "But only because I don't want to mess up your hard work."

As they worked, Soo-min arrived, bringing a bundle of colorful flowers. "Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late. Traffic was terrible!" she exclaimed, her bright smile lighting up the room.

"Soo-min, you made it!" Ji-ae hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much for coming and for the flowers. They're perfect."

Soo-min grinned. "Anything for you, Ji-ae. And for your grandparents, of course."

Together, the three friends continued preparing for the party. Soo-min's bubbly personality and occasional clumsiness provided endless amusement. At one point, she accidentally knocked over a vase, and Min-jun swiftly caught it, earning a grateful smile from Ji-ae.

"Good save, Min-jun," Soo-min said, laughing. "I swear, I'm such a klutz sometimes."

"That's what friends are for, right?" Min-jun replied, winking at her.

As the time for the surprise neared, Ji-ae's excitement grew. She kept checking the window, waiting for her grandparents to return. Finally, she saw them approaching the house, their hands clasped together, their faces lit up with smiles.

"They're here!" Ji-ae whispered, turning off the lights. She, Min-jun, and Soo-min hid behind the couch, stifling their giggles.

When her grandparents opened the door and switched on the lights, they were greeted with a chorus of "Surprise!" Ji-ae's grandparents stood in shock for a moment, taking in the decorations, the food, and the smiling faces of their granddaughter and her friends.

"Oh my, Ji-ae!" her grandmother exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. "This is wonderful!"

Ji-ae ran to them, hugging them both tightly. "Happy anniversary, Halmeoni, Harabeoji. I love you both so much."

Min-jun stepped forward, offering the bouquet to Ji-ae's grandmother. "Congratulations on fifty years of love and happiness. I'm honored to celebrate this special day with you."

Ji-ae's grandfather patted Min-jun on the back. "Thank you, young man. You've been a good friend to our Ji-ae."

Soo-min, not to be outdone, handed Ji-ae's grandmother a small gift. "Just a little something from me. Thank you for always treating me like family."

The party was a resounding success. They ate, laughed, and shared stories from the past. Ji-ae's grandparents recounted their love story, how they met in the countryside and moved to Seoul to start a family. Their love for each other was evident in every glance and touch, filling Ji-ae with warmth and hope.

At one point, Ji-ae found herself alone with Min-jun in the kitchen, washing dishes together. The sound of laughter and music filled the house, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

"Thank you for helping me make this day special," Ji-ae said, handing Min-jun a plate to dry. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Min-jun smiled, taking the plate from her. "It was my pleasure. Your grandparents are wonderful, and it's clear where you get your kindness from."

Ji-ae blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. "You're too sweet."

Min-jun leaned closer, his expression softening. "I mean it, Ji-ae. You're an incredible person, and I'm lucky to have you in my life."

Ji-ae's heart raced, and she felt herself blushing even more. "I'm the lucky one, Min-jun."

They shared a tender moment, their faces inches apart, before Soo-min burst into the kitchen, carrying a tray of empty glasses. "Hey, you two lovebirds, stop slacking! We've got guests out there!"

Ji-ae and Min-jun laughed, the moment broken but not forgotten. The night continued with more laughter, dancing, and a heartfelt toast from Ji-ae, expressing her gratitude and love for her grandparents.

As the evening drew to a close and Min-jun prepared to leave, he pulled Ji-ae aside. "I had a great time today. Thank you for letting me be part of such a special day."

Ji-ae smiled, her heart full. "Thank you for being here. It means a lot to me."

Min-jun leaned in and kissed her softly, a sweet and lingering kiss that left Ji-ae blushing and smiling. "Good night, Ji-ae. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Min-jun," Ji-ae replied, watching him walk away with a sense of contentment and hope for the future.

As Ji-ae cleaned up the last remnants of the party and prepared for bed, she couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. Her grandparents' enduring love and Min-jun's unwavering support filled her with a sense of peace and optimism. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face, dreaming of a future as bright and full of love as the day had been.