We sat with just our couple and our close friends, quietly sharing drinks. Their backyard in Long Island used to be filled with the sound of children laughing, surrounded by thick trees. But now, their daughters have finished school and moved out for work — just like our sons.
We have two sons, and they have two daughters. Our kids grew up together, playing as babies and staying close as they grew. We've been friends for many years.
As time passed, I started to notice how lovely their daughters were — they had the best features from both their parents. I began to wonder: What if one of them ended up with one of our sons? Wouldn’t that be nice?
My friend and her husband met when they were young musicians, and later got married. My husband, who grew up in a rather strict family, always said he wished there were more people around who appreciated music. Their daughters are very talented cello players. I remember my husband pausing for a long time while looking at a photo of the girls in elegant concert dresses, holding their cellos.
No one ever said it out loud, but we dropped small hints. We joked about becoming double in-laws, and though our friends didn’t respond directly, they didn’t seem to oppose the idea either.
One day, I casually said to my son,
“Why look far away? I think Jin is lovely — why don’t you try going out with her?”
But he replied,
“Mom, I’ve known Jin since we were babies. She feels like a sister — there’s no ‘feel’ there.”
And it wasn’t just our sons — their daughters also said,
“No way! It’s like dating your own brother!”
We didn’t expect that kind of reaction. My husband, who used to happily call them “our future daughters-in-law!” when they were little, gradually stopped saying it. As the kids got older and busier, it became hard to get everyone together. So we, the parents, suggested meeting in Manhattan. The kids took care of the reservation — even though it wasn’t easy to book a table for eight on a Saturday night — and we simply followed them.
At the table, there was makgeolli, soju cocktails, and lots of delicious dishes. Watching the grown-up kids chatting and laughing, we couldn’t help but feel sentimental. Once, there were only the four of us parents. Now, these young adults — who didn’t even exist back then — are leading us around the city, using their phones to guide us. It was incredibly comfortable and heartwarming.
Even if we don’t become in-laws, this is good enough. I just hope each of them finds someone they love and lives a happy life.