Professor Brendan Purdy and his wife, Thuy Purdy, have been married for almost 10 years. They are one of hundreds of couples involved in a multicultural marriage.

Born in Vietnam, and raised in Newbury Park, Thuy lived a tough childhood. Her mother was born in South Vietnam in what is now the Ho Chi Minh Capital, and her father was born in North Vietnam and was conscripted into the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) as soon as he was of age. Thuy’s father deserted the war under the penalty of death and escaped to South Vietnam and lived with his future wife’s family.

Through a very rough war and transformation, Thuy’s family managed to escape to America and live a life free of Communism. Thuy went to Newbury Park High School and then attended Moorpark College, where she met Brendan.

“It seems like every other suburban Caucasian male was born and raised in Ventura County,” said Brendan.

His parents graduated school with two bachelors degrees, four masters degrees, and a doctorate. His parents expectations are what led Brendan to do the same.

On August 7, 2004, Brendan and Thuy got married and they now have two sons, one daughter and another daughter on the way.

Monsignor Liam Kidney once said, “The fact that you two are from different cultures does not matter to you, but after you are married, and especially when you have children, there are different expectations placed on you from the two sides of the family that you cannot yet fathom; and it will be difficult at times to balance the competing demands.”

This quote emphasizes the cultural backgrounds we live in today and why meeting and being in a relationship with someone of another background is perfectly fine. There are always going to be disputes between families, the only way to overcome those is with love and sacrifice for the marriage and family. Nothing will stand in the way of two people who truly love each other.