Kim Ngan, born in 1996, from Tan Hanh Ward, Vinh Long Province, has a petite frame at 1.48m tall. Fate brought her to love and marry Michael, born in 1989, who has dual German and Brazilian nationality, and is 1.92m tall. The height difference became a special highlight throughout their journey together.

The couple met in 2018 through a dating app. At that time Ngan was a final-year student in HCMC, while Michael had just arrived in Vietnam to build a career and new life.

Michael made the first move, but his quiet personality caused the conversation to fade. Ngan then took the initiative, asking questions and keeping the conversation going.

"Michael was straightforward and sincere, and that was what intrigued me. He was very different from anyone I had ever met. After knowing each other for a year, we started dating in 2019," Ngan recalled.

Their relationship was far from smooth. Ngan felt she had entered Michael's life at the wrong time. While she wanted a clear future together, Michael was focused on building his career. Their different priorities created many challenges.

Even so, Ngan remained committed to the relationship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were separated by thousands of kilometers, she tried to maintain connection with him. Michael returned to Vietnam at the end of 2020, and despite differences in language, culture and future plans, they gradually learned to understand each other better.

"The truth is, I stayed committed to this relationship not because I had plenty of time, but because I had very little time to meet and date different people. When I met someone who made me feel something special, I wanted to stay committed," Ngan said.

Once she had a stable job, Ngan told Michael: "We've been together long enough, and I'm ready to get married. If you're still not ready for a clear future together, then we should end this relationship."

Her words made Michael reflect. Realizing he did not want to lose her, he proposed in 2024.

A happy marriage

Once everything became clear, Ngan brought Michael home to meet her family. Before the trip, she told him: "My family's house is small and in the countryside. Living conditions are basic. If you want water, you have to draw it from the well, and the bathroom isn't modern. If you want to marry me, you have to come meet my family and accept those living conditions."

Michael was briefly surprised, then smiled and replied, "That's okay. I'll fit right in."

Arriving in Vietnam, Michael was surprised that her family was already standing in the yard waiting. Seeing the full meal, tidy rooms, and the warm smiles from Ngan’s family members, he felt comforted.

“His parents supported our relationship. His mom even texted me: ‘Thank you for choosing my son.’”

Their wedding was held in Kim Ngan’s hometown in 2024. Michael’s father and close friends flew from Germany and the US to Vietnam to attend the event. His mother couldn’t join due to poor health.

The ceremony followed traditional Vietnamese customs, inviting 200 guests to celebrate, with all costs covered by Michael.

When stepping into the banquet hall, Michael and his father were so stunned that they that they turned back. Only when the groomsmen pulled him back did he realize it was his own wedding reception. Later, Michael told his wife that at that moment he thought it was a music performance by some artist, not a wedding.

“Now my father-in-law still brings up that wedding with joy and excitement. He said when standing on stage to give his speech, he felt like a singer about to perform. It was the first time he experienced such a lively and happy wedding,” Ngan said with a smile.

The couple and their 14-month-old son now live in Brazil, Michael’s mother’s homeland. Because of the height difference, they have to arrange everything in the house reasonably, though sometimes one person’s comfort is the other’s inconvenience.

Whenever they go out together, the couple often draws attention due to their height gap. Kim Ngan used to feel self-conscious and avoid it, but Michael’s support helped her become more confident.

Thanh Minh - Nguyen Hanh