Appearing with their young daughter in the program "Newlywed Husband and Wife", Mr. Phan Van Thai and Ms. Pham Thuy Tien brought a love story full of emotions. From acquaintances in the group of mutual friends, they went through more than a decade of companionship, including 8 years of love before deciding to get married.
According to the couple's sharing, they met around 2014. However, it was not until 2017 that the relationship made progress when both began to talk and learn more about each other.
At that time, Mr. Thai was working as a director in the field of graphics and 3D animation, while Ms. Tien ran an accessory store. The opportunity came from a simple request when Ms. Tien needed to design a logo for her store.
Although he only received a preliminary description of the idea, Mr. Thai still completed the product as Ms. Tien wished. What surprised her even more was that he did not receive any remuneration.
After that, Ms. Tien actively invited him to go to the movies and then eat to thank him. However, Mr. Thai refused many times. Later, he admitted that it was a way to create more attention from the other person.
The feelings of both gradually developed through conversations and meetings. One of the memorable memories is when Mr. Thai actively came to Ms. Tien's house to cook vegetarian dishes for her mother to enjoy. The simple but sincere action helped him score points with his girlfriend's family.
Despite deep feelings, their love story was not entirely smooth. Ms. Tien said that she had witnessed a breakdown in her parents' marriage, so she always had a psychology of hesitation about getting married. Therefore, she did not want to start a family too early.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thai faced many pressures when he first started his business. At the time of the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak, business was difficult, and his mother was also sick, making him almost have no time for himself or his lover.
Prolonged pressure caused both to decide to temporarily stop the relationship.
At that time, we all thought we should stop so that each person would have time to solve their own problems," Ms. Tien shared.
Despite saying goodbye, Mr. Thai still silently cared for his ex-girlfriend. During about 7 months apart, he often left small gifts and words of encouragement on Ms. Tien's desk.
When he saw Ms. Tien practicing yoga, he gave her a new practice mat. Worried that she would skip meals and have stomach pain, he prepared snacks and pieces of notes reminding her to eat properly.
That persistent care gradually changed Ms. Tien's mind. Besides, advice from her mother also helped her see more clearly about the man who was by her side.
According to Ms. Tien, her mother once commented that in modern life, it is not easy to meet a man who knows how to love his family, lives responsibly and does not fall into bad habits.
On Mr. Thai's side, the time apart also helped him realize what needs to be changed. When reuniting, both commit to paying more attention to each other, and at the same time learn how to balance work and private life.
One of the most special memorabilia of this love story is the "love contract" handwritten by Mr. Thai to send to Ms. Tien.
In it, he hopes his lover will eat and drink fully, share all his feelings, and at the same time promise to always be by her side, respect, protect and shelter her. What makes many people excited is that the contract term is clearly stated: "Unlimited".
Up to now, even though she is married and has a daughter, Ms. Tien still carefully keeps the contract along with cards and notepads that her husband once gave.
After 8 years of love, Mr. Phan Van Thai and Ms. Pham Thuy Tien decided to live together. For them, the most precious thing in marriage is not material things or appearance, but companionship and choice to be together after all upheavals.
What we have together is not youth, not beauty or money, but always being together," Ms. Tien shared.
