The groom, standing at 1.35m tall, and the bride, at 1.3m tall, walked hand in hand on their special day, amidst the congratulations of everyone around them.
The Blossoming Love of the Petite Couple
On November 27th, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang (born in 1986, residing in Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An) officially welcomed his bride into his life. The wedding of Mr. Thang attracted special attention from many people, and even the number of guests in attendance doubled the groom’s initial estimate.
The handsome groom in a stylish vest, black bow tie, tightly held hands with the bride in her pure white dress, as they walked into the church.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, standing at 1.35m tall, and the bride, Nguyen Thi Suong (born in 1991) at 1.3m tall, did not feel inferior to the guests, thanks to their radiant and happy faces.
The groom, standing at 1.35m, and the bride, at 1.3m, radiated on their wedding day.
Mr. Thang met Ms. Suong at the end of 2020, when the young woman from Vu Quang (Ha Tinh) came to Hanoi to study at the Center for Life Skills.
The petite girl, with a very beautiful face, a “sunshine” smile, and a “captivating” singing voice, captured Mr. Thang’s heart. Over time, love grew between the two people who, at first glance, might be considered “too young to be in a relationship.”
“Our faces look younger than our age, and our modest height makes us the subject of some funny stories. When we’re out together, people often mistake us for young children in love. We’ve had people point at us and make comments, and even when we go clothes shopping, we have to go to stores that cater to young children, and we’ve never dared to go on a motorbike date,” Mr. Thang shared.
Overcoming initial doubts and ignoring the rumors, when their love was strong enough, Mr. Thang wanted to protect and cherish his beloved little girl. His simple proposal was quickly met with a nod of approval and overflowing happiness from his girlfriend.
It was fortunate and happy that the story of Mr. Thang and Ms. Suong was supported by both families and close friends, who eagerly awaited their wedding.
“The wedding preparations were like everyone else’s, but the biggest challenge for us was finding a bride and groom outfit that fit us. I decided to hire a separate design company to make a wedding dress for my wife, even if it took more time.
I wanted her to be beautiful and radiant on our special day, that is how I express my love and respect for the courageous girl who walked with me on the road ahead,” Mr. Thang said, moved.
On their happy day in their hometown, Mr. Thang was surprised when his friends, siblings, and those who share his fate from far away came to celebrate together.
Both Mr. Thang and Ms. Suong suffer from the rare condition of hypopituitarism. This cruel disease not only left them trapped in childlike bodies but also made it difficult for them to have children, with little hope of success.
Deciding to be together meant accepting a home that lacked the laughter and playfulness of children. But Mr. Thang believed that with understanding, tolerance, and mutual trust, they could build a unique home, just like each person’s life.
After nine months of preparation, the “tiny” couple’s wedding took place amidst the blessings of everyone and the boundless happiness of parents who had suffered so much. They finally found the perfect puzzle piece to complete their family.
“I planned to serve 30 tables of guests only, but my friends and family came to bless us, so we had to “upgrade” to 60 tables. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to receive everyone properly and fulfill their expectations,” Mr. Thang shared.
A “support” to overcome fate
Mr. Nguyen Van Thang is the oldest brother in a family of five siblings in Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district.
While his siblings grew tall, Mr. Thang remained the shortest in the family. His small stature made his childhood difficult, as he was always the target of teasing and bullying from his friends. Once, his friends even picked him up and threw him at a group of girls.
Mr. Thang is happy to have found the perfect puzzle piece to complete his life.
Thắng buồn, tủi thân lắm và cô độc nhưng không dám phản kháng. Mà cũng không “bật” lại được khi mình chỉ cao đến ngực bạn bè.
Những trò nghịch ngợm cũng dần ít lại, khi bạn bè dần hiểu những thiệt thòi của Thắng, và hơn nữa, Thắng cũng mở lòng mình ra, hòa nhập với mọi người.
Tuổi thơ trôi qua, ai cũng lớn lên, duy chỉ mình Thắng cứ nhỏ xíu như đứa trẻ. 15 tuổi, Thắng cũng chỉ cao 90cm. Thắng nghĩ mình gắng học xong lớp 12 rồi ở nhà phụ bố mẹ, lo cho các em ăn học. Nhưng rồi, cuộc đời Thắng rẽ sang hướng khác, một hướng đi mở ra cho cậu một tương lai mà cậu bé quê nghèo này chưa từng dám mơ.
“Đó là năm mình học lớp 10, anh Hùng (hiệp sỹ công nghệ thông tin Nguyễn Công Hùng – PV) đến nhà bảo lên ở với anh, anh sẽ truyền nghề cho. Hồi ấy, máy tính là cái gì đó xa xôi đối với một thằng bé nghèo và nhiều mặc cảm như tôi. Vậy là tôi đến trung tâm của anh Hùng ở, vừa đi học, vừa học nghề IT”, anh Thắng kể.
Mr. Thang always feels fortunate to be welcomed with love, sharing, and spreading the faith and determination to live to those who share his unfortunate fate.
After finishing high school, Mr. Hung’s center moved to Hanoi, and Mr. Thang also packed up and followed, becoming a “teacher” to pass on his skills to those who have unfortunate fates like himself.
With a stable job and income, but deep down, he still sought the cause of why he remained in the body of a child.
Three years ago, Mr. Thang bravely went to see a doctor, did all the tests, and found out that he had hypopituitarism, a disease that caused slow bone development.
While Mr. Thang’s biological age was 34, his bone age was only 16 – the same as a teenager.
The disease could be treated, but at a huge cost and a long time…
“In a positive sense, I’m still very young, even my voice hasn’t broken yet,” Mr. Thang laughed and accepted reality.
In their new home, Mr. Thang and Ms. Suong may find it difficult to enjoy the happiness of being parents, but they are confident that with love and understanding, they will walk together on a new journey.
Through his own effort, and the support and help of his siblings, friends, and those who share his fate, Mr. Thang has created a fairly stable life for himself. He currently works in IT for a large corporation, and his wife works in the design industry.
The couple rents an apartment in Linh Dam (Hanoi) and lives with Mr. Thang’s children. Their small home is filled with laughter, and Mr. Thang always admits that his wife is always right.
Have you ever blamed fate? I asked. Mr. Thang laughed: “When I was young, yes, but now I think differently. I feel lucky to have good friends, siblings, who are sincere and share with me.
They not only gave me a job to support myself, a suitable career, but also gave me love and trust, to step out of my shell, integrate into life, and spread that joy to those who share my unfortunate fate.”