Milestones

For both babies and relationships, reaching 100 days has a big significance here in Korea.  

For babies it is more historical.  Back when times were hard, it was believed that if a baby survived to be 100 days old the odds were in its favor (a bigger celebration and sigh of relief was given if the baby made it to its first birthday, but every milestone is a hurdle passed).

Why it is significant in relationships, I really haven't even a single guess.  Perhaps it is the same as with babies - that if a couple reaches 100 days, they've passed the worst of it and their love is sure to blossom.  Idk, but doesn't that sound fitting for a Hallmark card?  

I do know that 100 days carries more weight for older couples than it does younger.  In Korea, if a women isn't married by the time she's 30, she's viewed by most as an old maid and her chances of getting married once she's crossed the premature over-the-hill hill decrease.  So when a women (or man) is older and in a relationship for at/around 100 days, one thing starts to be on both parties' mind - marriage.

I was discussing this with my Korean friend, Minju, the other day and I couldn't help but think how insanely short 100 days is.  How can a person be ready to commit themselves to another human being after only being together for 3 months?!  Surely 100 days is not enough to learn all there is to know about a person and discuss the foundations of their beliefs and learn about their desires and goals for the future!  You can't even finish a jar of peanut butter in 100 days.  How are you going break down someone's soul in that amount of time!?

So while Minju was saying 100 days was all it took, I was eagerly offering my opinion of a year, to two years at least!  And why even rush that!  But I am not yet 30 and still trying to find myself so for me I need a bit more time.

 

Who doesn't need more time is my co-worker, Haejin!  

She came into my classroom after lunch today to tell me that she's getting married!!  You're what?!  Ohhhh myyyyy goosshhhhh!!! That's soo exciting!!  Do I get to come to the wedding!? OMG! OMG! OMG!!  I was squealing and jumping up and down like the tween girls I dislike so much.  But I couldn't be more happy for her.  

She has been dating her future husband for just over 100 days, she's older than 30, but I know it's going to be great!!  They can grow old together and have hundreds more 100 days together.  

 

The best is yet to be -- the last of life for which the first was made.- Robert Browning