KUALA LUMPUR: An 18-year age difference did not hinder Zalwayuazni Shapie, 44, and Mohd Mustaqim Che Hassan, 26, from tying the knot.
However, their union wasn't without hurdles.
Zalwayuazni is related to Mustaqim's brother by marriage. She is his brother's sister-in-law. The two had met at a silat graduation ceremony in Machang, Kelantan.
Mustaqim's brother initially had not approved of their relationship.
"My wife and I got married in 2013. God willing, we will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary at the end of this year. I first met my wife when she attended the silat graduation ceremony. At that time, I didn't know she was my brother's sister-in-law. I asked for her phone number.
"Not long after that, I found out she was my brother's sister-in-law. At first, my brother didn't allow us to be friends because he wanted to introduce me to someone else.
"However, we continued our relationship as usual," Mustaqim told Harian Metro.
After graduating from school, Mustaqim said that his mother and sister insisted on him getting married
"I was surprised when they asked me when I was going to get married because I didn't have any money.
"My mother said she would take care of everything. I thought she was joking, but it was true
He said they proposed to Zalwayuazni on his behalf and set the wedding date.
"What surprised us even more was that the wedding date was set within a month before the wedding ceremony.
"I just followed the arrangements made by the elders. Besides, I am the youngest child and my mother wanted to see me married before anything happened. Indeed, after we got married, my mother fell ill and passed away."
He said that despite being blessed with three children, he never expected to get married early.
Furthermore, Mustaqim said that the age difference with his wife did not make their relationship awkward, but rather made him more mature in managing household affairs.
"I know the age gap with my wife is very significant. However, I don't see it as a barrier to building a relationship. When we got married, our friends didn't even know my wife's age. Only when they found out did they start asking questions. But I'm okay with it.
"The elders used to say that later you will look the same age. True, they say we look like siblings because our faces resemble each other. Alhamdulillah, after more than 10 years of marriage, everything is okay and there are no problems."
He added that this is in spite of getting comments that he married her for her wealth.
"If you want to know, after marriage, I am the only one working. My wife has not worked until now. She chose to be a full-time housewife. Her being more dominant in the household is not an issue. She knows her status and responsibilities as a wife," he said.
According to him, what is important in marriage is mutual understanding and compromise.
"Sometimes I think it's better to marry someone older. Because they are more mature. They know how to manage household affairs and take care of them well," he said.