Unlike their usual routine, where after work, Ms. Hien and her children would rush into the kitchen to prepare meals, today they had plenty of time, thanks to her husband's enthusiastic support. Witnessing the moment when the whole family gathered around the dinner table, with the children chatting happily with their father, Ms. Hien felt nostalgic and emotional.

As a child, being a dreamer, Hien idolized the image of soldiers in uniform with a five-pointed gold star on their caps. Even in university, she maintained this admiration, establishing an unspoken rule: any guy who tried to court her had to be a soldier first. Then, while browsing Facebook, she saw a rather humorous friend request. Curious, she replied and, upon learning he was a soldier, quickly accepted. Their daily conversations seemed to grow longer as they found many things in common. However, she still had some reservations, because Tung was already quite old and still single. To resolve her concerns, she suggested visiting him at his unit on their first official date.

The happy family home of Major Truong Thanh Tung. Photo provided by the subject.

As soon as Hien arrived at Tung's unit, many of his comrades came to shake her hand and chat with her, making Hien feel flustered and deeply moved. Everyone was happy for Tung, because he had held the title of "air defense soldier" for so long that his friends and comrades were getting impatient. When Hien was leaving, it started raining heavily, and Tung asked his superior for permission to take his girlfriend home. It was in that rain that Tung boldly confessed his love.

After six months of getting to know each other, they got married. Their wedding room was a rented room near her workplace for convenience. In 2018, she gave birth to their first son, Truong Quoc Khanh. Recalling that time, she said: "Throughout my pregnancy, he wasn't by my side. On the day I went into labor, I took a taxi to the hospital alone. When the doctor scheduled a C-section, he arrived just in time to handle the paperwork. At that moment, I felt so warm inside." In 2023, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter, Truong Khanh Chi. Their family happiness became even more complete, but at the same time, the difficulties multiplied many times over.

With the motto "sell distant relatives, buy close neighbors," despite her busy schedule and personal life, Ms. Hien always makes time to actively participate in community activities with her neighbors. Now that her children are a little older, Ms. Hien joins the local folk dance club with her neighbors. Whenever there's a performance, people trust her to choose songs and teach basic dance moves. With her enthusiasm, openness, and simple, sincere way of life, Ms. Hien is always loved by her neighbors. On days when she comes home late from work, the women are always ready to help her pick up her children. Although life ahead may be difficult, for Ms. Hien, happiness is seeing her children grow up day by day, living in the warm embrace of her neighbors, and being a strong support system so her husband can focus on his work.

TRAN THANH HUYEN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/hau-phuong-vung-chac-cua-anh-824615