Top News

It was early 2017, and Facebook (before it rebranded as Meta) had brought together its global staff for a week-long training program.

On the final day Alex Truong of Quebec, Canada, was captivated by a woman speaking fluent French. He approached her and learned her name was Kim Long and that she was Vietnamese.

He asked her to join him for breakfast the next day, but she declined. “I thought it was odd,” the then-27-year-old woman says. “When people are just getting to know each other, they usually go out for dinner, not breakfast.”

After the event in the US, Long went back to Singapore, where she worked as a customer service team manager. Alex returned to Canada to continue his work with high-end clients.

At the end of 2017 Long was transferred to Facebook’s office in Ireland. Two months later Alex relocated to Paris. He sent her a message: “If you ever come to Paris, I will show you around.” But Kim Long, who was used to traveling alone, declined again.

In the years that followed, both reached the peak of their careers. They each bought their own homes, became European citizens, and frequently traveled around the world. But despite their success, neither could fill the void left by love.

Kim Long had a soft spot for “bad boys,” confident men who charmed her with sweet gestures and smooth words. But every relationship left her hurt. “After being lied to again and again, I realized I could not love bad boys anymore. I needed someone decent.”

She stayed single for several months. During a night out, a friend filmed her and posted the video online with the caption, “How is this girl still single?”

The first comment came from Alex.

It turned out that for the past seven years, he had quietly stayed in her orbit, waiting. Even with a limited Vietnamese vocabulary, he remained active on her social media. Knowing she was single, he stepped up his efforts.

Still healing from past wounds and looking for something serious, Kim Long decided to test Alex with a question about life values. He replied with what she described as “an extremely long essay,” laying out seven core values and his philosophy on life.

“To me, independence is essential. We can rely on each other, but each person should be able to take charge of their own life.”

“Self-development is a must. No big achievements needed, we just need to feel a bit better about ourselves every year,” he wrote.

Reading Alex’s answer, Kim Long realized they shared many values. She agreed to go on their first date.

In February 2023, Alex flew to Ireland. Long laid her heart out, “I want to be clear. To me, being in love means marriage.” Alex nodded in agreement. “So, do you have anything to back that up?” she pressed further.

To her surprise, he dropped to one knee and pulled out a small green box from his pocket. Long panicked. Onlookers expected a romantic proposal. But the box opened, revealing a pair of earbuds.

Both burst out laughing. Long realized this man shared her sense of humor and playful spirit.

Once officially dating, they made a conscious effort to spend time together despite demanding jobs and frequent travel. In the first quarter of 2023, Long had a work trip to Asia, and Alex rearranged his schedule to join her. She landed in Singapore one day, and he arrived the next.

When she traveled to Vietnam, he adjusted his itinerary, flying from Japan to HCMC before returning with her to Singapore. Whenever off work, he flew from France to Ireland every three to four weeks to visit her.

“He showed me that when two people are committed, no distance or challenge is too great,” Long shared.

One evening in July 2024, Alex threw a party to celebrate Long’s transfer back to the Singapore office. As Long was distracted by a blinking camera light, Alex knelt down to propose.

The couple had a wedding in Vietnam in March 2025. Photo by courtesy of Kim Long

The proposal was made possible with the help of Joyce, Long’s close friend from Ireland. Joyce said she had witnessed Long’s remarkable journey, from a girl born in Vietnam to a global citizen.

“Then Alex came along, and I saw a clear change in Kim Long, a new happiness from within,” Joyce shared.

The couple held their wedding ceremony in March 2025. More than 100 guests from 16 countries, including college friends, Meta colleagues, and relatives.

Alex called it a “healing wedding” as it brought estranged people together, and overseas Vietnamese home. “You are the one who made me believe in fate,” the bride said with teary eyes.