People are drawn to love stories. “How did you two meet? What is your story?” We’re captivated by the romance and hooked by the uniqueness of each individual’s tale. There is something about seeing a couple- advanced in years- walking and holding hands that stirs people’s hearts and makes them long for that same kind of life long companionship. When we are young, we search and search for that special person who we can grow old with.

On Thursday, I was told a different kind of love story…

My Khmer teacher, Kenal, shared with me the story of her own parents. Their marriage had been arranged by the leader of the Khmer Rouge- Pol Pot himself! In the span of 4 years, this man led the Khmer Rouge to murder over 1.7 million fellow Khmer people because he sought to create a new- utopia-type civilization in Cambodia. Kenal’s own father was in his young twenties when he was forced into hard labor in the country side of Cambodia. His own parents were killed along with 3 siblings. In order to survive, he would steal food and divide it between himself and his two sisters. Pol Pot then selected him to get married to another selected partner and he was among 40 other couples who participated in the mass marriage procedure for that day. No wedding celebration- simply the legalities, because Pol Pot wanted them to have children.

“If Pol Pot led his army to kill thousands of people, including babies and children, why would he want to arrange all these marriages?” I asked Kenal.

“He killed everyone who was educated. Now he wanted to start over and manipulate the new generation of babies and children that would come from these marriages.” She replied.

Her mom and dad had never met before they were forced into “life-long commitment”.

It’s been almost 30 years. In a time when the divorce rate is nearly 50% we all the more celebrate couples who have been married for 30 years! While the story of Kenal’s parents is shocking it is also beautiful. They worked hard in a relationship they had no choice in and grew to love each other deeply. The fruit of their labor spreads farther than they will ever know! Their daughter has played an important role in my time here in Cambodia and I love studying with her each morning. (Emphasis on the with her, rather than the studying ) I seriously cannot imagine being here without Kenal! I am thankful that God protected her mom and dad and brought them together in a different, yet beautiful love story.