Brian Jeffrey
An American man in his late 70s dedicated himself to fulfilling his younger wife’s dream of a garden by transforming a 6,000-square-meter plot into a vibrant space of Vietnamese produce, despite all odds.
Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu, hailing from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, lives in Arizona with her husband, William Andrew Maley (75), and their two sons. The 37-year age gap has not hindered their happiness together.
William, a man of many talents with a diverse work history, is now focused on making music with a band in his retirement. His artistic flair and healthy habits contribute to his youthful appearance.
Quynh Nhu married William when she was just 19, moving to the U.S. in July 2007. After nearly two decades abroad, she feels fulfilled and happy thanks to William’s support.
Their romance began with an introduction orchestrated by family. Nhu, fresh from high school, quickly found herself drawn to William’s skills and work ethic during their initial conversations. After four months, it was clear they were a good match, leading William to Vietnam to solidify their commitment.
Adjusting to life in the U.S. was not easy for Nhu; the language barrier, cultural shifts, and extreme weather posed significant challenges. Arizona can be incredibly hot in summer and quite cold in winter.
In the beginning, Nhu faced isolation because of the small Vietnamese community in Arizona, often just working and relying on William for companionship.
Nhu remarked, “William always knows how to care for me and the kids. Our strong bond and happy marriage indeed reflect the truth behind the saying of an older husband with a younger wife.”
She appreciates William’s genuine love for Vietnamese culture and cuisine, eagerly exploring her homeland’s dishes during their visits back.
Both Nhu and William harbored a dream to cultivate a garden yielding their favorite Vietnamese foods. Initially, time constraints limited their efforts to a few eggplants and chili peppers to keep their connection to home alive.
In 2020, things changed when William retired amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, finally gaining the opportunity to turn their dream into reality.
William took on the project’s demands, diligently clearing the land and setting up irrigation, despite being unfamiliar with such tasks.
While inexperienced, William persevered, often needing to redo various aspects after facing difficulties.
Nhu noted, “His hands were marked with cuts and bruises from the labor, and he lost weight during those four intense months of work.”
Once the garden was ready, William allowed Nhu to select which plants to grow, stipulating they should be Vietnamese varieties he adored—sometimes driving hours to find the right seedlings.
He planted an array of citrus trees, including limes and tangerines, along with nearly 50 types of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, ensuring they included staples like starfruit, sugarcane, guava, mango, gourds, and herbs. They also planted flowers, prominently featuring roses and morning glories.
Among his favorites were melons for pickling and medicinal herbs, which introduced him to traditional Vietnamese steam baths, a practice he has grown fond of.
Thanks to the garden’s proximity, William enjoys spending three to four days a week there, tending to plants, harvesting produce, and embracing the tranquility of gardening.
With the flourishing garden, the family has been able to enjoy more Vietnamese meals. William holds a particular fondness for bitter melon soup and other dishes like pickled melon and sour soup with taro stems.
Nhu proudly expressed, “There’s immense joy in savoring Vietnamese cuisine away from home, especially knowing it’s sourced from our garden. William believes Vietnamese food is unparalleled and is willing to invest significantly in the garden.”
They share their harvest with friends and family, spreading the love of Vietnamese culture and cuisine throughout the U.S.
Ngoc Lai
