Two small lives finding each other

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The couple have been each other’s support for the past 11 years.

Nguyen Thi Thu Dao, born in 1992 in Binh Dinh and now living in Gia Lai Province, is the youngest of four siblings. She is the only member of her family with dwarfism caused by a congenital condition, a difference that shaped both her life and her journey in love.

Dao admitted that her petite appearance once made her feel insecure. Her education and career path were also far from easy. Still, she never wanted to depend on her family and always tried to live independently and make the best of her life.

The couple have been each other’s support for the past 11 years.

At the age of 20, despite objections from her parents and siblings, Dao moved alone to HCMC to work. She initially joined a garment company, but the work was exhausting and the salary barely covered living expenses. After a year, she quit and turned to selling lottery tickets to survive.

Living alone in a small rented room, Dao often felt lonely. The idea of finding someone to build a family with seemed distant until she met Nguyen Van Luong, born in 1987 in Dong Thap Province - a man who shared a similar situation and helped restore her belief in happiness.

Luong is 1.3m tall and also earns a living selling lottery tickets. Besides work, he trains in sports and competes in events for people with disabilities, specializing in javelin throw and weightlifting.

They found each other through love, empathy and understanding.

In 2014, Dao and Luong met through a mutual friend. Thinking they would get along, Luong invited her to join him at a sports training center.

During two months of training for a competition, the pair gradually developed feelings for one another as they witnessed each other’s determination and resilience.

“Luong is kind-hearted and has helped me and many other athletes a lot. Two small people caring for and understanding each other somehow became love,” Dao recalled.

Luong and Dao lived about 4km apart in rented rooms. Every day, they sold lottery tickets together regardless of scorching heat or sudden rain. The hardships of daily life only deepened their desire to lean on one another.

After a year together, Luong confessed his feelings. His simple words, “Let’s build a life together,” won over the petite woman he deeply loved.

Secretly getting married

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They found each other through love, empathy and understanding.

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The couple now lives a peaceful married life. 

Photos: Provided by the family

Luong’s family supported their relationship. During her first long-distance bus trip to meet his parents, Dao was touched by the warm welcome she received.

But her own family strongly opposed the relationship. Their concern was not about Luong’s appearance or circumstances but their fear that their daughter would face too many hardships as a wife and daughter-in-law.

“I understood my parents’ feelings, so I didn’t force anything. We returned to HCMC and relied on each other to live our lives well,” Dao shared.

In October 2015, the couple secretly joined a mass wedding ceremony for 40 couples with disabilities organized by a female artist. Alongside others facing similar challenges, they bravely embraced their own happiness.

The couple now lives a peaceful married life.

When newspapers and television channels reported on the mass wedding, their families finally learned that Dao and Luong had married. At first, they were upset, but eventually they sent their blessings to the couple.

In 2016, Dao became pregnant, bringing overwhelming joy to the couple as they prepared to become parents. However, the happiness did not last long. When Dao was two months pregnant, doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy because the baby had severe respiratory problems.

“My husband and I couldn’t bear to let our child go, so we decided to keep the baby. I carried my child for nine months and three days, but after being born, our baby survived only six hours,” Dao said tearfully.

Even though they had been mentally prepared, the loss devastated them. During those painful days, Luong became his wife’s strongest support, helping her slowly overcome the grief.

“For years, both our families have hoped we could have another baby, but Luong refuses because he worries about my health,” Dao said.

The couple have now spent 11 years together. They currently live in a small attic room at a sports center in HCMC. Every day, the tiny couple sells lottery tickets together. Whenever sports competitions are held, they temporarily put work aside to train and compete. Their medals, glittering with effort and perseverance, have become a way of affirming their worth.

For Dao and Luong, happiness over the past 11 years has never been about owning a large house or living a wealthy life. It has simply been about having someone beside them to share every joy and hardship. Amid the struggles of daily survival, the two small people continue to hold tightly onto each other’s hands, each becoming the other’s strength to keep moving forward.

Thanh Minh