Love Lesson

The soft glow of the late afternoon sun spilled through the window, illuminating the cozy living room where Ethan sat cross-legged on the floor, a Korean textbook sprawled out in front of him. The rhythmic sound of his pregnant girlfriend, Yuna, bustling around the kitchen added a comforting backdrop to his efforts.

“Ready for another lesson?” Yuna called, her voice light and playful as she stirred a pot on the stove.

“Absolutely!” Ethan replied, grinning. He had been eager to learn Korean not just for himself, but to connect more deeply with Yuna’s family and culture as they prepared for the arrival of their baby.

Yuna emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Today, let’s start with some useful phrases for when our little one arrives.” She plopped down next to him, her belly gently rounding their way into parenthood.

“Okay, what’s first?” Ethan asked, leaning forward, his excitement palpable.

“Let’s learn how to say ‘baby’ in Korean: 아기 (agi).” She wrote it out in her neat script, her eyes sparkling. “Try saying it!”

“Agi,” he repeated, trying to mimic the soft way she said it.

“Great! Now imagine we’re talking to our baby. You can say, ‘I love you, baby.’ In Korean, that’s ‘사랑해요, 아기 (salanghaeyo, agi).’”

“Salanghaeyo, agi,” Ethan practiced, his voice gentle as he envisioned the little one they were preparing for.

Yuna smiled, her heart warming at the sight of Ethan embracing their future. “You’re a natural!”

“Thanks to my amazing teacher,” he said, nudging her playfully. “What’s next?”

“Let’s learn how to ask about the baby’s health. You can say, ‘아기는 잘 지내고 있나요? (Agineun jal jinaego innayo?)’ That means, ‘Is the baby doing well?’”

Ethan concentrated, repeating the phrase slowly. “Agineun jal jinaego innayo?”

“Perfect! Just a bit more fluidity, and you’ll sound like a pro.” Yuna leaned in closer, her hand resting on her belly. “I can’t wait for you to speak Korean to our child.”

The thought filled Ethan with joy. “I want them to feel connected to both cultures,” he said, determination shining in his eyes.

As they continued practicing, Yuna shared stories of her own childhood, revealing the warmth of her family gatherings and the rich traditions that had shaped her. Each word he learned felt like a step toward bridging their worlds.

“Let’s take a break,” Yuna suggested, glancing at the clock. “I’ve got a craving for some snacks.”

“What are you in the mood for?” Ethan asked, rising to help her.

“Maybe some kimbap?” she replied, her eyes lighting up.

“Okay! I’ll help!” Ethan offered enthusiastically, eager to support her cravings. They moved to the kitchen, where he chopped vegetables and rolled rice in seaweed, trying to follow Yuna’s instructions.

“This is actually fun,” he said, laughing as he fumbled with the ingredients. “I could get used to this.”

As they prepared the meal together, the kitchen filled with the warm aroma of their cooking, and Yuna glanced at him, her expression softening. “You know, I love how you’re embracing this. It makes me even more excited for our future.”

Ethan paused, meeting her gaze. “I’m just as excited. I want to be the best dad I can be, and that starts with learning your language.”

After they sat down to enjoy their kimbap, Ethan felt a surge of gratitude. “I love how we’re building our little family together. I promise to teach our baby both languages.”

Yuna smiled, her heart swelling. “And I’ll be there to help, every step of the way.”

As they shared their meal, laughter and love filled the air, wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Each phrase learned, each moment shared, brought them closer together, building a foundation not just for their future child, but for their own relationship as they prepared for the adventure ahead.