The latest episode of Newlyweds featured Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, 35, and Huynh Dac Khoa, also 35, who both work in the media industry in HCMC.

From a first meeting that left neither with a particularly good impression of the other, the couple gradually became husband and wife, weathering many ups and downs together and embarking on a journey to experience the joys of parenthood.

Six years ago, Khoa worked as a photographer. He met Hong by chance while taking photos of a model hired by his group of friends.

He admitted that at the time, he was feeling discouraged after going through several personal setbacks. He paid little attention to anything around him, including Hong, the beautiful model.

Hong, for her part, did not have a good impression of Khoa either. He arrived late, violating a basic rule in her professional work.

“His way of communicating made me think, ‘Why is this guy so annoying?’ He didn't seem like someone I would want to talk to,” Hong recalled.

Their journey from dislike to love was a long one. In late 2020, Khoa experienced another personal setback and decided to leave the Central Highlands to return to HCMC to work.

Living in the same city gave the couple more opportunities to meet and talk.

“At the time, I was also having problems with a close friend and had no one to drive me to work. I worked as a photo model, a makeup artist and an MC.

I had a lot of work, not only in the city but also in neighboring provinces. Not having anyone to drive me around became his opportunity. Whenever I had a hosting job outside the city, he would drive me there,” Hong said.

Those rides gradually deepened Khoa’s feelings for Hong. After several months of spending time together, he decided to confess his love at a coffee shop at 3 am.

“If you’re willing, will you be my girlfriend?” he asked.

Hong’s response left him stunned: “Why don’t we just stay friends instead of getting into a relationship?”

“Many guys would have given up after hearing that, but I dealt with it right away. I told her, ‘No. Either we’re friends or we’re enemies. Let’s not leave things hanging in between. It’s exhausting.’

“Perhaps things didn’t go according to her script, and she didn’t know what to say, so she just nodded,” Khoa recalled.

Their bond deepened during COVID-19 social distancing periods.

Because of social distancing restrictions, they could not meet often. Khoa decided to sign up as a ride-hailing driver to create more opportunities to see his girlfriend. When Hong fell ill, he went to her home with medicine and food and took attentive care of her.

Realizing how sincere his feelings were, Hong decided to entrust her happiness to him.

In late 2024, after their families held a formal engagement ceremony, Hong underwent a premarital health checkup. The doctor told her that she might have difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term because of a short cervix.

“I went home and talked to my mother, but I didn’t dare tell my father. My family is very traditional, and I also felt conflicted about living together before marriage.

“But at that point, I thought I was already getting older and might have difficulty having children. What if we got married and then tried to conceive, only to find out we couldn’t have a child? He was also an only child. We thought about it for a long time, and I cried a lot, so I decided to talk to my mother,” Hong said.

Hong wanted to start trying for a baby before getting married. Her mother was initially hesitant and worried that her daughter might end up at a disadvantage.

However, when Hong affirmed that she could support and raise the child herself even if she were fortunate enough to conceive but her boyfriend subsequently left her, her mother gradually agreed.

With her mother’s support, Hong decided to follow her own wishes. Khoa was also willing to stand by his girlfriend. They tried for a year, and by late 2025, their long-awaited joy finally arrived: Hong became pregnant with their first child.

Having navigated many twists and turns in life together, the couple grew to appreciate each other even more. Although Khoa has a hot temper, he is always gentle and affectionate toward his wife.

Thanh Minh