A Cozy Meal for Three

Whenever I think of my closest friends, I often think of the small moments we’ve shared together. It is often in the moments when we sit in silence, enjoying each other's presence, where I realize how close we are. On one rainy afternoon, I had a few hours to spare before class and I remember hurrying to message them to see if they were free and we quickly met for an impromptu lunch. We decided to eat at a cozy Korean restaurant by campus – one that we used to visit frequently but due to our conflicting schedules, are rarely able to go to now. It reminded me of the times when we first began college and were able to spend more time together. Back then, it seemed like we had all the time in the world. We would hang out nearly everyday in-between classes to eat out, go swimming, or go shopping. Now that we’re a bit older, we have more school work, jobs, and personal family obligations. It gets difficult to see each other, even once a month. Although it was just a quiet lunch, it was a kind glimpse into the past. Seated in a wooden booth in the warmly lit restaurant and glancing past their faces, I could see the blue-tinted world beyond the windows. The roads were glistening from the storm that had just passed and the windows were decorated with tiny droplets. We spent the time catching up with one another’s lives, what classes we were taking, and how our current jobs were treating us. The booths surrounding us were filled with quiet conversations and laughter. After lunch, we drove to a nearby café for some milk tea. There, we talked and laughed even more. Right before class, we hurried to a local stationery store to look over the latest sticker sheets and notebooks.

And as we did, my friend and I beamed at the idea that one day, our work would be sold in stationery stores too. Although it was a simple afternoon, I cherished it greatly.