Fate

The official success rate of blind dates is said to be 2%.

Behind this incredibly low success rate lies the effect of first impressions.

People's first impressions within 3 seconds of meeting someone are surprisingly lasting.

Even if you're not handsome or beautiful, being neat, clean, and stylish is advantageous.

That brief moment when you say "Hello" matters more than you think.

The man sitting in front of me now also had a good first impression.

Two years had passed since I ended my last relationship, and I was still single.

I was busy with work, and there were more important things than dating. So, I wasn't lonely.

"How old are you this year?"

My close friend called me out of the blue and asked my age.

"Thirty-six. Why suddenly?"

"Someone I know asked me if I know any nice girls, and your name just popped into my head. You're the same age.

He's not a company worker, but it seems like he's helping his father with his business. They're really wealthy."

I had no reason to refuse.

It wasn't common for a woman in her mid-thirties to date someone her age, not to mention a younger man.

His first impression was quite charming, dressed neatly in semi-casual attire.

He had many differences and similarities with me, but the more I met him, the more I realized that "he has no major flaws."

It was quite remarkable that he didn't fall into my radar, which was busy searching for flaws.

I thought back to my past relationships where I overthought and made bad choices.

I shouldn't worry and just take my time getting to know him.

After a few dates, we went to the movies together one day.

When I was getting tickets from the kiosk machine, a birthday coupon came out with it.

"It's your birthday?!"

"Actually, it's next week. I didn't want to mention it because it was too early, but I didn't expect it to come out like this."

"I was thinking about when to ask."

"When's your birthday?"

"Mine? I use the lunar calendar, so I'm not sure when it is this year."

He looked at his phone calendar and suddenly exclaimed in excitement.

"Oh? Our birthdays are on the same day this year!"

"Really?"

"Really! Look! Isn't it amazing?"

"What a coincidence."

When you're in the midst of a썸 (썸 is a Korean word that refers to the ambiguous stage between being friends and dating, a "will-they-won't-they" situation), you develop a sense for the atmosphere. This썸 is doomed, or it's a confession waiting to happen.

I could tell that this time, it was a confession waiting to happen.

A week later, on his birthday, we both spent time with our families and agreed to meet for dinner in the evening.

As the sun began to set, he came to pick me up and, for the first time, he was dressed in a suit and carrying a bouquet of flowers.

"So, where are we going?"

"It's a secret."

We arrived at the 63 Building in Yeouido. He took my hand and led me to the elevator.

The scenario I had doubted was unfolding before my eyes.

Never in my life did I imagine I would be dining in such a high-rise, luxurious restaurant with a view of the city lights.

I was already overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, but he even brought out a small, twinkling gift with dessert.

"I wanted to get you a ring, but I thought it might be too much for you. Will you accept this?"

This was unfair. The Starbucks card I picked out as a gift was embarrassing.

I should have gone to the department store.

"Will you go out with me?"

It was a scene straight out of a drama, so what was I supposed to do? I couldn't pass up this opportunity.

He said it was fate.

He had strongly refused when his mother introduced him to someone, but this time, he decided to just go out.

He went out, and his ideal type appeared, leaving him breathless.

But the fact that they even shared the same birthday - there was no other explanation than fate.

It wasn't a burning, fiery passion, but there was a warm excitement. I thought, this must be love.

That day, as he walked me home with his bouquet of flowers, my family cheered, finally seeing their youngest daughter getting married.

"Mother-in-law, isn't there good news coming next spring?"

My sister and brother-in-law were even more excited about my relationship, making my parents even more thrilled.

Am I really getting married?