'For their date in 2008, Julie Thao and her husband, Pao Choua Yang, went to the New Year’s event, and did the ball toss. They had met before, but the older generation is a “little more strict” and doesn’t allow children — especially daughters — to go out on dates, Thao said.
'“That was the norm growing up,” she added.
'The occasion offered the young teenagers a chance to hang out all day and get to know each other. Yang said he was too shy to play the game for long, but a match was made: The two married and have three daughters, ages 3, 2 and nine months.'
Hmong community celebrates its New Year and 50 years as Americans
It honors St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her and marks the event with courtship ball tosses and dances.
By Deena Winter
The Minnesota Star Tribune
https://www.startribune.com/hmong-community-celebrates-its-new-year-and-50-years-as-americans/601534546?utm_source=gift
#StPaul #HmongNewYear #courtship