When her eyes crinkled, there was one more line than before.

When her hair fell over her face, there was one more white hair than before.

When she hopped a step, the flesh around her neck sunk, not as firm as before.

But when she turned to look at him, her eyes reflected still the same joy as before.

When she flashed a smile at him, she was as beautiful as before.

When she waved to him, his heart leapt as before.

Her hug was still as tight.

Her embrace was still as warm.

Her greeting was still filled with so much love.

And he still loved her so, so much.

“사랑해, 가을 아. 생일 축아해.”

“I love you, GaEul ah. Happy Birthday.”

YiJeong held her close and  revelled in her unchanging, twinkling laughter and around them, the balloons that he had prepared flew up into the sky as her slightly misshapen birthday cake lay forgotten on the hood of his car.