The world’s shortest couple – who both measure less then three feet tall – have proved that size doesn’t matter when it comes to love.
Paulo Gabriel da Silva Barros and Katyucia Hoshino, from Brazil, both have forms of dwarfism and stand at 34.8in and 35.2in respectively.
The pair, who hope to enter the Guinness Book of World Records, said they met on a social media website ten years ago and started chatting on MSN Messenger.
But the attraction wasn’t mutual. Katyucia, 26, who has achondroplasia dwarfism, which affects bone growth, initially blocked him on the instant messaging site.
She said: ‘The first time I started talking to Paulo, he was really annoying. He had cheap-pick up lines.’
Paulo, who works as a legal secretary, said: ‘She thought I was trying to flirt but I was just being nice. According to her I was a really boring guy.’
That would have been the end of the matter, if Katyucia hadn’t suddenly decided to unblock him 18 months later.
Katyucia, who now owns her own beauty salon that has been specially adapted for her size, said: ‘One day something happened in my head and I went and unblocked him. By then he was already more relatable.’
Paulo said: ‘When she unblocked me, it didn’t take me more than a minute to say hello. we started speaking and she said I was more civilised.’
Two months later, Paulo travelled more than 186 milies to Katyucia’s home city of Londrina to meet her.
He said he was bowled over by Katyucia’s beauty, but she was shy and unimpressed with his dress sense.
Paulo said: ‘What most attracted me to her, besides her beauty, was how sweet she was. It was her sweet personality.’
The beautician said: ‘He was wearing an orange shirt, jeans and sunglasses – thank God it has improved since then.’