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THE CHOICE THEY MADE
Monday, August 18th, 1980
The next morning, Lisa's parents called her to the living room. She joined them, feeling apprehension and curiosity.
Lisa took a seat across from them.
"We've been thinking a lot about Jeongguk," her mother said gently. "We like him, Lisa. He's a good man. But we're also concerned about what your future might look like."
Lisa's heart sank a little, though she understood their concerns. "You're worried about him being posted somewhere far away, aren't you?"
Yoonseok nodded. "Yes. Jeongguk's career in the Navy means he could be posted to a different location, possibly overseas, for an extended period. If you marry him, that could mean living apart for long stretches. We want to make sure you're prepared for that kind of situation."
Her mother added softly, "We've seen how deeply you care for each other, and we're happy for you. But we also understand that being a military spouse is hard."
Lisa looked down at her hands, reflecting on their concerns. "I've thought about that too. It's not going to be easy, but I love him. And he proposed to me two days ago. We're committed to making it work."
Her mother took a deep sigh, reaching over and gently took Lisa's hand in hers, her eyes lingering on the ring that adorned Lisa's finger. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice tinged with emotion. "It shows how serious you both are about this."
Yoonseok nodded in agreement. "Our concern is that this kind of life might not be what you expect. Long separations and the pressures of a military life can be challenging just like your mother's said."
Lisa took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "I appreciate your concern. I really do. Honestly, it scares me too. But Jeongguk and I have talked about it."
Her mother's eyes softened with understanding. "We just want you to be sure. You're such a strong and independent person, and we know you can handle a lot, but we also want you to be realistic about the difficulties."
Lisa nodded. "I know. I'll be okay. Jeongguk and I will figure things out together."
Yoonseok leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, if this is what you truly want, then we will support you. Just promise us that you'll take care of yourself, too, and that you won't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
Lisa smiled softly, feeling relief and gratitude. "I promise. Thank you for being understanding and supportive."
Her mother gave her a reassuring smile. "We're always here for you, Lisa. Just make sure you're honest with each other and keep communication open. That's the key to making any relationship work."
