During the wedding on 20/3, witnessed by both families, he reiterated a promise made five years prior: to always care for and be by her side.

The entire wedding hall fell silent. Many knew that for Khanh Trinh, 27 years old, and Xuan Thuy, 26 years old, reaching this wedding meant overcoming five turbulent years due to her rare illness.

Khanh Trinh and Xuan Thuy in Vung Tau, 6/2025. Photo: Provided by subject

They met in 2021 while working at a Japanese restaurant in TP HCM. Trinh, from Dong Nai, worked as a supervisor, while Thuy, a student, was a part-time shift leader.

Trinh's initial impression of Thuy came from an incident when he got lost on his way to a company party. He asked for directions in the group chat, but no one responded. Thuy was the only one who messaged him, guiding him step by step. Despite not having met, her clear communication and enthusiasm caught his attention.

However, conflicts arose during their work. Once, while handling an issue at the bar, Trinh's scolding upset Thuy. Although he apologized later, Thuy maintained a "cold war" for six months.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the distance between them gradually closed as they reconnected. Around the same time, Thuy experienced a personal tragedy when her grandmother passed away, leading to mild depression.

Trinh began to play a larger role in Thuy's life. He messaged her to check in, invited her out to eat, and brought her milk tea to encourage her. After two months, Trinh expressed his feelings. He told her that everyone makes mistakes, but with someone by their side long enough, they can correct them together and move forward. "That statement was both a declaration of love and a promise", Trinh recounted.

In mid-2022, Thuy began to notice unusual symptoms in her body. When looking at her phone or a menu, images appeared doubled. She felt dizzy, walked unsteadily, and often had to lean on walls for balance. Initially, Thuy thought it was just fatigue from overwork and endured it until she could no longer stand steadily.

After a medical examination, doctors diagnosed her with OMAS (Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome), a rare neurological disorder in adults that causes continuous eye tremors, loss of balance control, and motor impairment.

Thuy was treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Her body retained fluid rapidly, causing her to gain about 10 kg. One afternoon, returning after a treatment session, she stood in front of the mirror for a long time. Seeing her swollen face and limbs, Thuy suggested they break up. "I don't want my partner to suffer; I want you to find someone healthier", Thuy said.

But Trinh refused. Every day after work, he would visit her home to help her practice walking. When the treatment became prolonged, he resigned from his job to stay at the hospital with his girlfriend. He accompanied her to every infusion session, recorded timings, brought socks, and reminded her to eat on schedule. During nights spent in the hospital room, he slept on a folding chair beside her bed, waking early to buy food before Thuy woke up. "I just wanted to be by her side as much as possible", Trinh said.

However, four months later, her condition relapsed more severely. Over a year of subsequent treatment only helped her recover about 70% of her motor function.

Thuy fell into depression. There were days she cried without reason, and nights of prolonged insomnia. As feelings of helplessness grew, Thuy once again suggested they break up.

Trinh still said no. The next morning, he brought home four puppies. From that day on, Thuy became busy caring for the dogs: feeding, cooking for them, grooming them, and playing with them. She began taking on some online jobs to find solace and avoid being consumed by her illness-related sadness.

Khanh Trinh and Xuan Thuy during a trip to Vung Tau, 5/2025. Photo: Provided by subject

They overcame the most difficult period, and it was then that Trinh realized he could not live without Thuy. In 8/2025, he proposed at Mui Dien, Phu Yen.

Their marriage received blessings from both families. Thu Hien, 33 years old, Trinh's older sister, said that Trinh often brought Thuy home to visit. When Trinh's mother fell ill, he had to return to care for her, and Thuy also came along to help. This period helped the family grow close to and fond of Thuy. Later, upon learning of Thuy's illness, the family consistently encouraged her.

"I saw my brother change, mature, and become more responsible for his family", Hien said.

Trinh said that over the past five years, he never found it difficult to be with Thuy. Despite her changing health, she retained her sincerity and warmth from the very beginning. "Love is not a calculation of gain and loss, but a harmony of souls", he stated.

Ngoc Ngan