Love Against Odds: Chinese Villager, American PhD Wife Mark 20 Years

A heartwarming transnational love story between Chinese villager Wu Yanju and Amy Thames, an American PhD graduate, has garnered significant attention online.

Their two-decade-long marriage, built on mutual respect and perseverance, challenges conventional notions of romance and social status. Wu recently shared their journey on social media, Jimu News reported on Monday.

Humble Beginnings and Hardship

Wu Yanju, now 44, was born in a rural village in Yuzhou, central China's Henan Province. "Our family was so poor we had to share a single room with our livestock," Wu told Jimu. "The cattle and horses occupied about four-fifths of the space; we had just a narrow passageway and a hardboard bed."

An academically gifted student, Wu ranked in the top five among over 300 peers in junior high. However, his family's financial struggles forced him to drop out. He subsequently endured backbreaking labor on farms and in quarries.

Tragedy struck his family in 1999 when his father lost sight in one eye after being hit by flying rock debris, receiving only simple treatment at a village clinic. Months later, Wu, then 18, suffered a similar injury, damaging his eye's lens. Fearing for his future, his parents pooled over 4,000 yuan (US$563) to afford an artificial lens implant. While cosmetically unnoticeable, the injury left him with severely impaired vision.

An Unlikely Meeting in Xinjiang

In 2004, Wu sought work as a massage therapist in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. That September, Amy Thames, a fresh university graduate from the United States, visited his parlour, marking their first encounter.

"At the time, I spoke no English, and we barely communicated," Wu said. However, an incident soon bridged the gap. Amy once rushed into the parlour in a panic. Using an electronic translator, Wu understood she was being stalked. He confronted the man lingering outside and ensured Amy got home safely.

This act accelerated their relationship. Wu recalls the morning of October 31, 2004. While accompanying Amy on an errand, he mustered the courage to ask, "Would you be my girlfriend?" Upon her agreement, he held her hand for the first time.

Overcoming Doubts and Building a Life

When Wu shared the news, his family and friends were incredulous. "They all thought it was impossible, that I was being scammed. 'How could a poor guy like you marry an American?'" he recalled.

Undeterred, they built their relationship on honesty. Wu disclosed his visual impairment. Amy, using the electronic dictionary, explained her own financial hurdles, including student debt.

Despite that, they decided to marry. On March 9, 2005, they registered their marriage in Zhengzhou, Henan's provincial capital. "After getting the certificate, it was too late for the bus... We stayed in a hostel near the train station. After paying for the room, we only had enough money left for one meal," Wu reportedly said.

Their wedding "banquet" in his impoverished village was a simple meal of cold dishes and noodles, as his parents were gravely ill.

Two Decades of Mutual Support and Growth

Reflecting on 20 years together, Wu acknowledges the difficulties of a cross-cultural marriage with significant educational and economic gaps. "It's easy to fall in love, but hard to live together. My wife has made great sacrifices," he said. "Ultimately, if both parties have love, they can break through all difficulties."

For Amy, now a kindergarten teacher at an international school who recently passed her PhD dissertation defense, her husband's character was the draw. "I liked that he was tall, handsome, had a great personality, didn't follow the crowd, had strong self-control, didn't smoke or drink, and was very romantic," she said, showing a cherished "Squeeze-Me" bear he customized for her during their courtship.

Wu praises his wife's kindness and compassion, which has inspired them to jointly sponsor students' education, volunteer at orphanages, and engage in charity work. "We are mutually tolerant and rarely argue. She is very considerate of my feelings," he added.

The couple have two daughters, aged 17 and 14. The elder has been accepted into a US university, and both are reportedly accomplished athletes.

Addressing the public's curiosity about their unlikely union, Wu believes it transcends mere luck. He decided to share their story to inspire others. "Many people might think it's just good fortune, but maintaining a strong bond for 20 years is more than that," he asserted.