growing up in a religious household, you were told to keep your faith; but when your father was "blessed" with a different job, your faith started to wane. never really knowing the phrase "settling down", your faith started to dissipate with every house and apartment you occupied and left.

by the time you turned 18, you left your family in search of life. you started college and settled down in a city as far from your past as possible. however, the past has a way of leeching onto you; no matter how "settled down" you were, you still felt like a wanderer. to ease your restlessness, you decided to go out on a whim and go to a church.

one night, you entered a small chapel with no idea of what to do. you sat, hoping for some idea or miracle that would instantly relieve you. as if a higher presence heard you, an older man sat beside you: it was the church's pastor, park seonghwa.

he recognized you as a newcomer, welcomed you with a warm smile, called you child, and spoke with a gentle voice. you don't know how it happened, but you were shifting in your seat uncomfortably one moment and then crying, pouring your life out into his caring arms the next. he listened while tenderly holding your trembling self and your fragile heart.

"my dear child, you're not lost. you're right where you need to be. you're home." he whispered sweetly into your ear. it wasn't just an affirmation; it was a promise to forever care for you. home... never sounded sweeter until it came from him.

that was two months ago. ever since the first encounter, he took extra, special care of you: asking to call him mother, extended religious studies, unexpected visits to your apartment, the random dinners, the personal questions. you never thought much about it... he was home after all.