In September, Ngo Thi Thuy Van (born in 1979, native to Dak Nong province, now Lam Dong province) married Daniel Chrismer (born in 1985, American nationality) at a church in the US state of Georgia.

Wearing her wedding dress and standing beside a man who loves her deeply, Van was overcome with emotion as she recalled the years of uncertainty and hardship she had endured.

When she was just seven months old, Van lost the ability to move her legs after suffering a fever accompanied by convulsions. From then on, her legs became twisted, leaving her unable to walk independently like others. This disability grew into a deep-seated insecurity that haunted her for years.

Nevertheless, she persevered, learning makeup artistry and nail care to support herself.

Van was previously married and has a son who is now 19 years old. In 2018, she moved to the US to work and build a new life.

In October 2024, she met Daniel through a dating application. Seeing his profile picture in a tank top and brimmed hat, she was drawn to his simple, unassuming appearance.

Among the many greetings she received, she decided to reply to his message. By coincidence, they both lived in Georgia, so after two months of chatting online, they arranged to meet in person.

At their first meeting, Van was open about her circumstances. She told him she was a single mother, that her former husband had passed away, that she had lived with a disability since childhood, and that she had previously worked as a bridal makeup artist in Vietnam.

She also opened up about her insecurities, the disadvantages she had faced and her wish to build a happy family.

Daniel listened with genuine sincerity, showing neither judgment nor hesitation about her disability or her past, despite being six years younger than her.

Van realized that he was someone who could and would be willing to provide her with emotional support. In December 2024, they officially began dating.

"I'll be your legs"

A few months after meeting Daniel, Van was involved in a serious car accident and had to undergo shoulder surgery.

The physical pain and difficulties with mobility sometimes left her feeling desperate, believing she had already endured more than her fair share of misfortune.

Throughout this difficult period, her boyfriend stayed by her side and even brought her to live at his home so he could help care for her.

While he went to work during the day, his mother stayed home to look after Van. She treated Van like her own daughter, bringing food to her bedside every day and reassuring her as she recovered.

After work, Daniel would rush to care for his girlfriend, helping her move around and attend to her personal hygiene.

Some nights, he barely slept, staying awake to check whether she was in pain or needed to use the bathroom. Worried that he would be exhausted at work the next morning, Van often tried to endure her discomfort rather than ask him for help.

When Daniel realized this, he gently told her: "I'm the person you need to lean on right now. Just tell me whatever you need. You've already been through so much pain, and I'll take on some of that burden for you."

His words moved Van deeply. She understood that Daniel's love was not expressed through grand promises but through simple, everyday acts of care.

Beyond looking after her following the accident, Daniel also paid special attention to Van's disabled legs.

The legs that had once made her feel self-conscious because of their deformity were now cherished and cared for by him every day. He often carried her from place to place and patiently massaged her legs.

"He told me, 'Don't worry, I'll be your legs.' And that's exactly what he does every day,” she said.

In August 2026, Daniel secretly prepared a marriage proposal at an amusement park that Van had long dreamed of visiting.

A month later, the couple held an intimate wedding ceremony at a church, attended by around 70 guests, including Van's parents and her husband's family.

During the ceremony, Daniel told his wife: "Although you may be small in stature, you are the closest person to my heart. That's why you can understand the sincere feelings I have for you."

Thanh Minh