on a soft, golden morning, the sun stretched its arms across the sky, promising warmth but not too much — just perfect for a family beach day. sunghoon stood in the doorway, a pastel blue cooler bag slung over his shoulder, while you fastened little sarang’s sun hat beneath her chubby chin. she blinked up at you with wide, curious eyes, a gummy smile peeking through. she had no idea what a beach was, but she liked the way you and sunghoon were smiling so big today.

“ready, little sarang?” sunghoon whispered, gently booping her nose. she squealed and kicked her tiny feet inside her mint green romper, her little fists curling with excitement. you tucked her favorite bunny teether beside her in the stroller, just in case she needed a friend on the road.

the drive was peaceful. sunghoon played soft music, one hand on the wheel, the other occasionally reaching back to check if sarang was still awake. she was. wide awake and making soft baby noises like she was already singing to the waves she hadn’t met yet.

by the time you arrived, the beach was full of your family — laughter, umbrellas, beach balls, and the smell of sunscreen and watermelon everywhere. everyone came rushing to see little sarang. “she’s so small!” “look at those cheeks!” “i can’t believe she’s already six months!” but sarang just stared, stunned by all the voices and colors, clutching your shirt with both hands like you were her anchor.

you and sunghoon found a nice shaded spot under a huge umbrella. he carefully laid down a soft blanket and set up a little baby tent beside it, so sarang could rest without sun touching her porcelain skin. she was definitely the youngest in the entire group, and everyone treated her like a delicate treasure.

sunghoon helped you change her into a ruffled baby swimsuit with tiny strawberries on it. “you’re the cutest sea princess i’ve ever seen,” he said, lifting her up. she looked like a marshmallow in the sun. he couldn’t resist kissing her cheeks three times in a row, making her squeal with delight.

you dipped her tiny feet in the ocean first. just the tip. the water was cool, and she made a surprised face, lips forming an “o” as she wiggled her toes. you and sunghoon laughed, standing on either side of her, letting the waves tickle your ankles as she kicked in the air.

“she’s so brave,” you whispered.

“she gets it from you,” sunghoon replied, smiling so soft you thought your heart would melt right there on the sand.

the cousins came running over, tossing shells and offering sarang tiny gifts. a pink shell. a rock that was definitely just a rock. a little feather. sarang looked at all of them like she was trying to memorize their faces. she reached out to touch one cousin’s hair and giggled when the cousin made a silly face.

after a while, sarang got sleepy. the kind of sleepy where her head slowly tilts against sunghoon’s chest and her eyes blink slower and slower until they close. he rocked her gently, humming low, your hands stroking her back. the sound of the waves became her lullaby, the hum of family around you like a warm blanket.

you looked at sunghoon and he looked back at you. “first beach day, a success?” he asked softly.

“a perfect one,” you replied, brushing hair from aeri’s forehead.

as she napped in her tent, you and sunghoon sat close, your legs touching, watching the kids run wild near the waves. your hearts were full. there were so many firsts ahead, but today was special. her first beach. her first laugh at the ocean. her first nap to the sound of seagulls.

little sarang would never remember this day, but you and sunghoon would. forever.