Min Jun leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Soo Jeon bustle around, her graceful movements as natural in their home as they were on the ballet stage. It had been three months since they got married, and although their honeymoon glow had not entirely faded, the realities of married life were beginning to set in.
"Do you need any help with that?" Min Jun asked, smiling as she chopped vegetables for dinner.
Soo Jeon glanced up, returning his smile. "I've got it, but thanks. Why don't you relax for a bit?"
Min Jun was about to insist when his phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up, his smile fading slightly as he saw an email notification from work. His architecture firm had landed a major project, and the pressure to deliver was already mounting.
He sighed and set the phone down without opening the email. Soo Jeon noticed the change in his expression.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, placing the knife down and walking over to him.
Min Jun hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Just work stuff. They're pushing hard on this new project, and it's starting to feel a bit overwhelming."
Soo Jeon gave him a knowing look, her hand resting on his arm. "You've been working late a lot lately, Min Jun. I don't want you to burn out."
"I'll be fine," he said, forcing a smile. "I just need to get through this next phase."
But Soo Jeon wasn't convinced. She could see the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, and though she understood his dedication to his career, she also knew the toll it could take on their relationship if they didn't address it.
---
Later that evening, as they sat together on the couch after dinner, Soo Jeon gently broached the subject again.
"Min Jun, I've been thinking," she began, her voice soft but serious. "We've both been so focused on our work lately, and while I know it's important, I don't want us to drift apart."
Min Jun looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean? We're not drifting apart."
"I know we're not now," Soo Jeon said carefully, "but if we keep prioritizing work over each other, I'm worried we could. I don't want us to become one of those couples who only see each other in passing, always too busy with work to really connect."
Min Jun was silent for a moment, considering her words. He knew she had a point. The demands of their respective careers were relentless, and while they both loved what they did, they had to find a way to balance their personal lives with their professional ambitions.
"You're right," he admitted, leaning back against the couch and letting out a deep breath. "I've been so caught up in the new project that I didn't even realize how much time it's taking away from us."
Soo Jeon reached for his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "I'm not saying we need to change everything overnight. I just want us to make sure we're taking time for each other, no matter how busy things get."
Min Jun nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "We will. I promise."
---
Over the next few weeks, they both made a conscious effort to find that balance. Min Jun started setting firmer boundaries with his work, making sure he left the office earlier and spent more time with Soo Jeon in the evenings. In turn, Soo Jeon adjusted her dance schedule to ensure they had at least one day a week dedicated solely to each other.
On one of these evenings, they decided to take a spontaneous trip to the Han River, a place they had always gone to when they were dating. The cool breeze carried the familiar scent of water, and as they strolled along the riverside, hand in hand, it felt like a return to simpler times.
"I missed this," Soo Jeon said, resting her head on Min Jun's shoulder. "Just being together like this."
Min Jun smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Me too. It's easy to forget how important these moments are when life gets hectic."
They sat down on a bench overlooking the river, watching the lights from the city reflect off the water's surface. In the quiet of the night, they found a sense of peace that had been missing in the rush of their daily lives.
"You know," Min Jun said after a long silence, "I've been thinking about something."
"What is it?" Soo Jeon asked, turning to look at him.
"I've been thinking about how much we've both grown, not just as individuals, but together," he began, his voice thoughtful. "We've been through so much, and now that we're married, I feel like we're building something even stronger. But I don't want us to stop growing. I want us to keep building, keep challenging ourselves—not just in our careers, but in our relationship too."
Soo Jeon smiled softly, understanding what he meant. "I feel the same way. And I know it won't always be easy, but as long as we're doing it together, I think we'll be okay."
Min Jun leaned in and kissed her gently, the warmth of her presence grounding him in that moment. "I love you, Soo Jeon."
"I love you too, Min Jun."
---
Back at home later that night, as they prepared for bed, Min Jun found himself reflecting on their conversation. They had made a lot of promises to each other over the years—some spoken, some unspoken—but tonight felt like a reaffirmation of those promises. Marriage wasn't just about the wedding or the honeymoon. It was about the quiet moments, the challenges, and the choices they made every day to prioritize each other.
As they lay down together, Min Jun reached for Soo Jeon's hand once more, holding it tightly as they drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever came next—together.