The story of meeting and marrying his beautiful wife who lived 200 km away remains vivid in the memory of Nguyen Duc (born 1991, Xuan Giang Commune, Ninh Binh Province), a man standing 1.2 meters tall.

In 2009, after his first love ended because his partner could not overcome family objections and societal prejudice, Duc moved to Thanh Hoa Province to work for a performing troupe of people with disabilities. 

Pham Thi Huong (born 1990, from Thanh Hoa Province) worked as a cook for the troupe. Her gentle nature and willingness to help others made a deep impression on him. Every day, he found excuses to strike up conversations, though she remained reserved. Thinking "I would be so happy if I could marry this girl," Duc resolved to pursue her.

That Lunar New Year, both returned home to their families. Knowing Huong's home address, Duc took a bus traveling 200 km to visit her family.

Huong lived alone with her father in difficult circumstances. Although her father had only a vague idea about their relationship, he warmly welcomed Duc and invited him to stay for three days.

Watching Huong care for her father and manage the household deepened Duc's admiration. Some days later, he invited her to visit his family in Ninh Binh, even though he was still unsure of her feelings. It was only when she agreed to make the trip that he realized she had already decided to be with him.

"During a family meal, I asked Huong, 'Will you marry me?' She simply replied, 'Yes.' My parents, relatives and I were overjoyed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law," Duc recalled.

After the holiday, he immediately prepared the traditional betel leaves, areca nuts and

engagement gifts and traveled to Thanh Hoa to formally ask for her hand, fearing she might change her mind.

Huong's family held a modest wedding with seven tables for close relatives, while Duc's family hosted a celebration with more than 100 tables, inviting neighbors and relatives from across the village. The wedding between the 1.2m-tall groom and his beautiful bride quickly became the talk of the town.

A marriage tested by hardship

Although finding love came more easily than Duc had expected, married life proved far more challenging. Over the past 16 years, the couple have faced financial hardship, concerns about their children and the ongoing task of understanding one another.

Duc came from an ordinary farming family. After their wedding, he worked as a street vendor to earn extra income while Huong managed the rice fields, tended the garden and raised livestock.

She took full responsibility for the household, from daily chores to dealing with both families. Duc still remembers his wife's frail figure during those years - staying up late, waking before dawn and working tirelessly without ever complaining.

Their first son was born in 2011. Three years later, they welcomed a second child, who also inherited his father's physical appearance. Although there were moments of sadness, the couple comforted each other, believing that their children's good health mattered most.

In 2018, they welcomed their third child, a fair and tall daughter who resembled her mother.

"From 2013 to 2019 was the hardest period for my wife because I stumbled at one point, that left our family in debt," Duc admitted.

"Our marriage became strained. She had to care for young children while carrying the family's financial burden. At one point, she weighed just 35kg. Even then, she never gave up on me. She encouraged me to start over for the sake of our children."

He still remembers his wife's gentle words during a moment of profound despair: "I did not marry you for money, because you didn't have money either. I married you out of love, so I only hope you love me in return and do not cause me suffering. Let us work together to raise our children to adulthood and face every hardship side by side."

Fearing the loss of his family, Duc abandoned his bad habits, focused on earning money to repay debts, and supported his children. By 2022, the couple finally overcame their hardship and stabilized their household finances.

With each passing day, Duc understands the heavy weight on his wife's shoulders and treasures her efforts for the family even more. For him, his gentle wife is a precious gift granted by life, compensating for his physical shortcomings.

Thanh Minh