Matchmaker, Matchmaker…

After so-yae I was invited to join the grandfathers for lunch at our favorite Korean restaurant. It’s always amusing to see us walking together, 6 75-year old men and me, a tall, white woman. I see people pointing, staring, and whispering. I wish I understood more Korean, it would be very amusing to know what they are saying.

In the restaurant the multitudes of side dishes arrived. I began picking at this one and that one, the Korean version of scrambled eggs, spinach, kim chi, yummmmmm… The men were talking animatedly among themselves. I was concentrating on not dropping anything with my chopsticks.

Mr. Lee got my attention from across the table. “Miss Lori, Miss Lori…” Yes? “Teacher Song just asked you question.” Oh, I’m sorry, what? “Would you consider marry Korean?” Well…. If I met someone I loved, who loved me, yes, I would consider marrying a Korean…. Mr. Lee then excitedly spoke to the other men. Some clapped, some oohed and aahed. Mr. Lee turned to me. “When birthday?” June. June 12. “How old?” 33. I’ll be 34. “Best-a marriage, man 3, maybe 4 years older than woman. Okay if same age. Younger man, older woman, not so good.” He spoke to the others. I continued to listen, wide eyed. “Okay, we all find you Korean man. You will marry. You be happy. You stay Korea.” Okay, with this many people trying to find my soul mate….