A decade-long love story

Standing at 1.9 meters tall since the age of 17, Cao Duy Khuong (born 1998, Long Phu 1 ward, Can Tho) has long been accustomed to the humorous situations that come with his towering height.

Whether at home, in school, or at work, he is always the tallest person in the room. At church, where he regularly attends services, priests and fellow parishioners nicknamed him “Dai” - meaning “tall”. Over time, the nickname stuck, often replacing his given name.

“My bed is custom-made at 1.96 meters, but sometimes my head still hits the edge,” Khuong said. “When I travel by car, I can only sit in the driver’s seat or the front passenger seat because those are the only ones with enough space to avoid touching the roof.”

As he grew older, Khuong fell in love with Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Uyen (born 2001), a woman from the same hometown who is 40 centimeters shorter. Their relationship, which lasted 10 years before marriage, has been filled with both tenderness and playful moments.

Growing up just one kilometer apart, the two families had known each other for years. They attended the same high school and often crossed paths on their way to class. What began as lighthearted teenage teasing gradually turned into affection.

“At that time, the feelings were simple - liking someone didn’t need a reason,” Khuong said. “As I matured, I realized everything about her was what I was looking for in a future wife.

“She is intelligent and lively, yet gentle. Her family is warm and well-mannered, and both she and her family are respected in the neighborhood.”

At one point, the couple experienced a long-distance phase, with Uyen staying in their hometown while Khuong worked about 70 kilometers away. On one occasion, she surprised him by making the journey alone without telling him in advance, leaving him deeply moved when he saw her waiting.

Over the years, their relationship became well known in the village. Seeing them walk side by side became a familiar image, symbolizing not only love but also a quiet, enduring bond.

A wedding kiss to remember

With Khuong at 1.9 meters and Uyen at 1.5 meters, their height difference has always drawn attention.

When walking together, Uyen reaches only his chest, often prompting curious questions from others. Many find the contrast charming, likening her to a small princess beside her tall partner.

Even simple activities require adjustment. For photos, they often sit down, tilt their heads, or stand farther apart to find the right angle. When walking, Khuong slows his pace while Uyen quickens hers to keep up.

Rather than feeling inconvenienced, the couple has embraced these moments, seeing them as part of what makes their relationship unique.

With the support of both families, they held their engagement ceremony in June 2025 and their wedding in February 2026.

During their pre-wedding photoshoot, the height gap surprised the entire crew. Suggestions were made to use props or positioning tricks to minimize the difference, including placing a chair for the bride. The couple declined.

“If we weren’t mismatched, we wouldn’t be ourselves,” Khuong said. “We didn’t want to hide it. We wanted our photos to feel natural.”

On their wedding day, however, practicality took over. The bride wore 15cm high heels, and during the ceremony, she stood on a 50cm chair to comfortably share a kiss with her groom.

“Without the chair, it would have been difficult,” Khuong said with a smile. “That moment - my wife standing on a small chair to kiss me - is something we will always remember.”

Living close to each other, the couple celebrated a warm and joyful wedding surrounded by family and friends. Moments like the groom lifting the bride during the festivities added to the happiness shared by both families.

Now living and working in Can Tho, the couple begins a new chapter after a decade together - grounded in understanding, patience, and a love that has grown stronger with time.

Thanh Minh