Le Nhan (born 1997, originally from Binh Dinh, now living in Gia Lai) once thought her life was a trick of fate. The youngest of seven children and the only daughter, she was the much-hoped-for child her parents had after six sons. Yet, as she describes it, she was “molded by the midwife” in a way that did not fit traditional expectations.

From an early age, she realized she was different. Nhan preferred marbles, climbing, and rough-and-tumble games with boys over dolls and jump rope. Even into middle school, she kept her hair cropped short. When she finally grew it long, she realized she had romantic feelings for other girls.

At 17, she came out to her mother, explaining that she wasn’t aligned with the gender she was assigned at birth and wanted to love women. Her mother cried a lot and often shared her worries - warning that such a life would require great financial independence or urging her to “turn back before it’s too late.” Nhan carried guilt for not being the daughter her mother expected but resolved to live well and happily so her mother could be at peace.

“I’ve always believed I needed a warm home filled with children’s laughter so my mother could see that, regardless of gender or appearance, I could still live a happy life,” Nhan said.

That dream seemed far away - until she met Nguyen Thi Be Em (born 1991, from Hau Giang, now in Can Tho). They first crossed paths on Christmas 2020, both nursing the pain of failed relationships. They quickly connected.

Meeting Be Em’s mother was not easy - her initial reaction was shock and skepticism. But by the next day, she took their hands, saying, “If you love each other, take care of each other. Nhan, just call me Mom.” That moment sealed their commitment to a shared future.

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Le Nhan (left) and Be Em. Photo: Courtesy of subject.

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Overcoming all obstacles to be together, two women joyfully welcome their twin ‘angels’.

In 2023, they pursued IVF as single mothers under the law, using Be Em’s eggs and sperm from a donor, with Be Em carrying the pregnancy. Nhan administered the hormone injections herself, each one leaving a bruise on her partner’s belly. Their first embryo transfer failed, but the second succeeded - with twins.

On the Dragon Boat Festival of 2024, at 34 weeks pregnant, Be Em gave birth to two girls. One went home after four days; the other stayed with her mother in the hospital for a week. Nhan never left their side.

Now, the couple share full-time parenting duties. Be Em manages the household while Nhan works, and at night they take turns feeding and soothing the babies. “Since having children, we hardly argue. All our love is for them. Our bond is stronger than ever,” Nhan said.

Seeing her mother finally at peace is another source of joy for Nhan. She has shown her that she has indeed found the true happiness of her life.

Thanh Minh