A Love Story That Defied Expectations
Son Khe, a 24-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, has faced numerous obstacles in his relationship with Thu Loan, a single mother who is 17 years older than him. Despite the challenges, he has remained committed to their love, overcoming family disapproval, financial struggles, and personal sacrifices.
Khe recalls the initial difficulties of pursuing a relationship with someone so much older. When his family discovered his connection with Loan, his mother was deeply shocked and ended up hospitalized due to depression. His father repeatedly sent messages advising against the relationship, while relatives spread rumors that Khe had been “bewitched.” Many people believed the relationship would not last, but for Khe, love was a powerful force that kept him going through tough times.
Their story began in mid-2023 when Khe was interning at a cosmetics company. Loan, a livestreamer for the company, caught his attention after an event when he saw her sitting alone in a corner crying. She explained that she was worried about her young daughter being home alone while she worked. This moment of vulnerability touched Khe, and he found himself thinking about her even after returning home.
Over time, their bond grew stronger. Khe was drawn to Loan’s maturity and wisdom, which he felt set her apart from women his own age. She managed household responsibilities with ease, helping her children with schoolwork, cooking, and fixing things around the house. As they spent more time together, Khe realized the age gap between them no longer mattered.
After three weeks, he confessed his feelings to Loan, who initially rejected him. At nearly 40, she was hesitant to pursue a relationship with a younger man, fearing it would be wrong. She encouraged Khe to focus on his career and assured him he would find someone better. However, Khe refused to give up. He made efforts to be part of her life, offering support during difficult times and building a connection with her children.
Loan eventually came to accept his affection, and they became closer. Understanding the potential conflict with Khe’s family, she decided to speak with his father in late 2023. Although surprised, his father agreed to meet them but advised Loan to carefully consider the relationship, questioning whether it would last over the long term. Despite this, he allowed Khe to make his own decisions.
In December 2023, the couple publicly announced their relationship after attending a church service, which moved Loan to tears. However, this was just the beginning of their challenges. Khe’s family became tense, and relatives continued to gossip, calling Loan a “witch” who had “cast a spell” on him. His mother stopped speaking to Loan, and the situation worsened when Khe’s grandfather passed away. Loan was not allowed to attend the funeral, which left her feeling heartbroken but supportive of Khe’s decision to go inside.
Faced with pressure from his family, Khe decided to move out and live independently. He lost his financial support and took odd jobs like washing cars to make ends meet. Loan also had to leave her job at the cosmetics company to manage their finances. Despite the emotional and financial strain, both remained determined to stay together.
Things improved when they moved to Loan’s hometown, where her family warmly welcomed Khe. There, he pursued his passion for creating and selling product models, which helped stabilize their financial situation. In early 2024, they relocated to Da Lat for better opportunities. In January 2025, they welcomed their first child, and Khe took full responsibility for caring for the baby, staying up at night to feed and comfort him.
In early October, they held a small wedding at a church. Two weeks later, Loan discovered she was pregnant again. Reflecting on their journey, Loan shared that many people had doubted their relationship, saying that Khe would leave when she aged or lost her beauty. But now, she feels that every day spent together brings enough happiness.