Journey of My Life

      I can still remember the day when I first stole a glanced at you. The day when I learned what love means. The day when everything about my life changes.   It was spring 15 years ago when you came into my life....       Beginning of Spring 20 years old      I was an Architecture sophomore student in Seoul University when I first noticed you. You were sitting in the cafeteria with your group of girl friends. All of you in the table are undoubtedly beautiful, but there is something in you that captured my heart.    You were animatedly laughing at the humorous joke of your friend showing your beautiful crescent eye smile. The way you cover your mouth when laughing is so feminine. You lean your head to the short girl by your side due to laughing too hard.   That's when I told myself that I want to know you and be part of my life.       Middle of Summer 21 years old     After a year of secretly stealing glances at you, we were now formally introduced to each other. It was JiYong's birthday when we met. You are the best friend of JiYong's 6 months girlfriend, Taeyeon, and your circle of friends were invited in his birthday party. I can still remember the giddy feeling I felt when I first held your hand.   "Hwang Stephanie or you can call me MiYoung.", you stretched out your hand in front of me, I shyly grabbed it and softly shook your soft hand.   "Choi Seunghyun."   All throughout the night we were trying to get acquainted with each other. I learned that you grew up in America, you were the only child in the family, you were a sophomore taking up Law, you were living in the country alone for 6 years, your father greatly disapproves your living status in the country, your mother was the one who fully gives her support during your entire stay here, and lastly, you were single.   I felt a complete happiness during that time. I even wished for the time stop so that I can be with you longer. It was Cinderella's time when you and your roommate, Yoona, bade us goodbye, but not without the two of us exchanging numbers.       Ending of Autumn 22 years old     It has been 4 months since we've first met. We both grew close to each other. We were constantly teased by our friends saying that both us compliments each other, like a puzzle that completely fits one another, Tom and Jerry, peanut butter and jelly, Olive and Popeye, bolts and nails and many more.   I was really happy with the compliments that they were giving us. I won't deny that I also thought the same as them. I knew that the feelings are mutual and all we need is to vocally express it.   Everything changes when you completely turned down my feelings. You told me that being in a romantic relationship is still not part of your life plans as of the moment. That you wanted to focus on your studies first. I was utterly disappointed with that blunt statement. I felt my heart breaking into pieces thinking that I was an utter fool to think that we both felt the same, but that disappointment turned my tables up when you said the next words.   "I also like you. Can you wait for me?", you held my hand and gave it a light squeezed.   My world started to become colorful once again. I told you that I'll wait for you even if it means waiting for years. I wanted to prove to you that my love for you is sincere and pure, that I'm willing to wait for you.       Ending of Winter 23 years old     The snow has already melted but the air is still chilly when my graduation commencement happened. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. After years of studying, I've already gotten my degree and in just a few months I can be officially called Architect Choi Seunghyun once I pass my board exam.    Everything is doing well until Yoona told me that you are dropping from the university and that you'll be flying to America during that day. You left me a letter to read on saying that it was unexpected. That you'll come back home after a year or two but once that time frame ended up I should start moving on and stop waiting for you.   It was the first time that I cried not just in public but also throughout my living years. I felt completely broken after reading it. How can you tell me to move on when I already told you that I'll wait for you?       Three years after- 26 years old     It was like how I promised you, I've waited and didn't commit to any relationship. Three years has gone passed since you've left Korea. You didn't left any trace or means of communication to us. You left us hanging with the hope that anytime you'll be coming back home.    During those years many things have happened, JiYong and your best friend, Taeyeon, are now engaged and ready to be married. The playboy has been tamed by the dragon princess and he's now completely in her hands. YoungBae and Hyoyeon are happily dating after 2 years of courtship. She answered him with a sweet yes during Yoona's birthday. Speaking of your roommate, after a year of your unexpected leave, Yoona confessed that she liked me for almost two years but hesitated to do so since she can see the spark between us. I turned her down since my heart is completely bound to you. She's now happily married to a businessman named Lee Seunggi. Yuri, another best friend of yours, is dating a ju