NOAH Couples

“Nick and I met during the 2012 St. Louis Conference–we were both first timers. We reconnected before the 2014 San Diego Conference and stayed in contact. Nick likes to say I “Facebook trapped” him into a relationship in early 2015. We handled a long distance relationship until Nick moved to Ohio from California in 2016. We officially became “The Smith’s” in October 2020 and bought our first home just a few months later. We hope that someday soon we will have our own little family like many of our friends with and without Albinism.”
– Rebecca

“Hey NOAH! My husband, John, and I met on Facebook Dating on April 9th 2022. We had talked almost everyday on Facebook Messenger for about two months. We had the same main life goals and so much in common. We knew we had to meet in person soon. Then on June 18th we had our first date at Panda Express. We were both a little nervous, but we were so excited to finally meet. We went to the park and walked there together and talked for a long time. Then we went to the mall and after that we went to Cold Stone Creamery and ended the day with ice cream. We had so much fun and enjoyed each other’s company so much. Almost every Saturday after that we had a date. On August 21st 2022 we began our boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and made it official. We lived almost three hours away from each other. Due to my albinism, I can’t drive, so John drove three hours to and from my home to pick me up for dates and then drop me back off. He proved his commitment to me in so many ways, but the fact that he would travel such a long distance for me weekly really showed me his love and devotion. On November 12, 2022 we got engaged. Then on January 7th 2023 we married and began our happily ever after. Our love story is miraculous and truly special. John is a loving, faithful, and hardworking husband. From the beginning, I told John about my albinism and was open with him. He immediately accepted me for who I was. He told me that he wasn’t interested in me for my eyes, but for my heart. From the first date, he has always thought of ways to help me navigate things that are difficult due to my low vision. He is always looking out for me and is extremely helpful, but he also respects me when I want to try something on my own. He often tells me how beautiful I am on the inside and outside. He loves my heart most of all, but he says that my outward beauty always leaves him admiring me too. As a woman with albinism, you can’t ask for more than that in a husband. Happy Valentine’s Day John! I love you! “
– Hannah

“I was living in Vietnam writing science fiction and horror novels; she was a university student working on her degree. We met on Vietnam Cupid. Although Trang (Chloe) was only looking for friends, I suspected I’d met the one when I introduced her to The Walking Dead and she said, “This isn’t scary enough.” By the time we watched IT Part II in the second row of the couple’s theater we were well on our way down a path that seemed mapped in the stars. She never expected to date a foreigner, I never expected to get married on the day before Christmas Eve in Vietnam. Now here we are in the suburbs of Chicago trying to set down roots. We’ve battled COVID, endured a yearlong separation due to US immigration, and crossed continents and oceans together. We’ve moved a lot but have never lost our home because home is a feeling we have together. Dreams come true, and I don’t mean the ones where you’re riding naked on a 16-foot giraffe in a high school gymnasium in front of 400 people. The American dream, dreams of travel and exploration, and dreams of finding your other half even if he or she is half a world away. Never give up. We’re living proof, and therefore say, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

– Jun

Pictured:  Trang (Chloe) and Jun, pre-wedding photoshoot, Phu Quoc Vietnam