The plane hummed beneath them, a soft vibration that mirrored the excitement in the air. Jungwon stared out of the window, watching the clouds roll by, his mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. It had been only a few weeks since he had proposed to Minji, and already their lives felt like they were on a new trajectory. The engagement ring on her finger gleamed in the sunlight, a quiet but constant reminder of their promise to each other. Now, they were on their way to Europe—Paris first—starting the adventure they had dreamed about.
Minji sat beside him, flipping through the pages of a guidebook, her face lit up with enthusiasm. "Look at this, Jungwon," she said, pointing to a photo of the Eiffel Tower glowing against the night sky. "We have to see it lit up like this. Can you imagine how beautiful it will be?"
Jungwon smiled, resting his hand on hers. "I can already picture it. And I can't wait to experience it with you."
Their conversation shifted to plans for their trip—the places they would visit, the cafés they would try, the museums they had to explore. Every detail felt like a promise of something new, a shared moment waiting to be made. Jungwon couldn't remember the last time he had felt this excited about the unknown. Traveling with Minji made everything seem brighter, more meaningful.
When they landed in Paris, the city greeted them with its signature charm—the narrow streets, the smell of fresh bread from nearby bakeries, and the hum of life all around. They had rented a small apartment in the Marais, a cozy place with big windows that opened onto a bustling street below. The neighborhood was filled with history, each corner holding a story, and Jungwon could feel the inspiration tugging at him already.
On their first night, they wandered the streets hand-in-hand, their feet carrying them aimlessly as they soaked in the sights. The Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance, glittering like a beacon against the darkening sky. It was exactly like the picture Minji had shown him, but seeing it in person felt surreal, as though they had stepped into a dream.
"Is this really happening?" Minji whispered, her eyes wide with wonder as they stood at the base of the tower, looking up at the intricate ironwork.
"It feels like a dream," Jungwon replied, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "But it's real. We're here, Minji. We made it."
The moment felt like the culmination of everything they had been working toward—not just in their careers, but in their relationship. The uncertainties, the struggles, the moments of doubt had all led them here, to this city, to this night, to each other. And for the first time, Jungwon realized that this was exactly where he was meant to be.
Over the next few days, they explored Paris with the curiosity of first-time travelers and the excitement of new beginnings. They sipped coffee at sidewalk cafés, wandered through art galleries, and strolled along the Seine at sunset. Each day felt like a new discovery, not just of the city, but of themselves and each other.
One evening, as they sat on a park bench overlooking the river, Minji turned to Jungwon, her eyes soft and thoughtful. "I've been thinking about what comes next," she said quietly, her hand resting in his. "Not just the travel, but our lives. This trip—it feels like the beginning of something, doesn't it?"
Jungwon nodded, his heart full. "It does. It feels like we're finally stepping into the life we've always talked about. And I want to keep doing this—traveling, creating, experiencing the world together. But more than that, I want us to build something, something lasting."
Minji smiled, her gaze drifting to the river, where boats glided gently by. "I do too. I want us to keep creating, but I also want to think about the future—our home, our family, the life we're going to share."
The words hung between them, filled with possibility. Jungwon had always known that their journey together would lead them to this point, but hearing Minji talk about their future with such certainty made it feel real in a way it hadn't before. They weren't just dreamers anymore—they were building a life together, one step at a time.
As they sat there, the sun dipping lower behind the buildings, Jungwon realized that the future didn't scare him anymore. The unknown wasn't something to fear—it was something to embrace. With Minji by his side, he felt ready for anything. The challenges, the triumphs, the quiet moments in between—it was all part of the adventure.
That night, back at their apartment, Jungwon lay awake, listening to the sounds of the city outside their window. Minji slept peacefully beside him, her breath soft and steady. He thought about everything they had been through to get to this point—the heartbreaks, the moments of doubt, the long hours spent working toward a shared dream. And yet, here they were, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, more in love than ever, more certain of their future together.
Jungwon smiled to himself, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over him. This was just the beginning. They had so much ahead of them—so many places to see, stories to tell, and memories to make. And through it all, they would have each other.
As he drifted off to sleep, the last thought that crossed his mind was simple, but profound.
We did it. We're living our dream.
And as the night enveloped them in its quiet embrace, Jungwon knew that no matter where the road took them next, they would face it together, hand-in-hand, ready for whatever came their way. The adventure had just begun, and he couldn't wait to see where it would lead.