Thao & Chris

Chris and I met while attending summer school at the University of Texas Arlington in July 2010. Chris was retaking physics while I was taking my prerequisites for nursing school and we ended up connecting through mutual friends. To say that things were rough at first would be an understatement. My parents immediately disapproved of Chris due to race, religion, and cultural differences. Because of their reaction, I broke up with Chris since I wanted so badly to abide by my parents’ wishes and their expectations for who they wanted me to marry.

Obviously, we ended up getting back together and secretly dated for 3.5 years before I told my parents once again. My mother fainted, while my dad attempted to disown me and threatened to kick me out. As much as I hated hurting my parents, I knew I couldn’t throw my relationship with Chris away like I did before. After a few weeks, my older brother somehow convinced my parents to accept my relationship. Six months later (and much to my surprise), my parents came to adore Chris. After almost ten years, Chris secretly brought his parents to meet mine for the first time and to ask for their blessings. On March 13th, 2020, Chris proposed (with the Tara Solitaire adapted for a Morganite Pear) while we were on vacation in Thailand!

I hope that in sharing our love story, it can break through boundaries and shed light on the struggles of interracial, inter-religious, and intercultural relationships. Despite all the ups and downs that we’ve faced, we’ve been able to face it together and I can’t imagine a better life partner to go through it all with. - Thao