Love is in theair

Three couples tell all on weathering life’s ups and downs

Best of Me

Marriage was a faraway thought as Ibrahim and Indrirezeki I. Gunaevy first met when both were at the top of their career paths— but not for long. Although the two are starkly different, they soon found out that Indrirezeki’s perfectionist trait and Ibrahim’s laid-back approach complement each other well.

“We keep it real, basically,” Ibrahim said. “To understand and accept your significant other is important.” Indrirezeki added that their similar family values and role models are also important. “His parents have been happily married for 47 years, and mine for 25 years before mum passed away,” she said. “They taught us to always be rooted and to remember the roles of a husband and a wife.” Furthermore, the sweet couple always gather in prayer no matter what the day brings that, today—they have been able to weather Indrirezeki’s recovery after two strokes during their 10 years of marriage. “Life is hard, but we are stronger together,” Ibrahim said. “She is half of me, and I am half of her.”

Lifelong Partner

Power couple Antonio Prawira and Airyn Tanu go way back to 2000 when they both studied computer systems engineering at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. They started off in university as friends and often attended the same study groups. After graduating in 2003, the dynamic duo moved back to Indonesia and decided to become business partners.

As it turned out, 2004 was a great year for both as it was when Passion Jewelry was founded and was also the year Antonio and Airyn became life partners. Antonio stated that: “We adjust, we compromise, we meet in the middle, and we accept our strengths and weaknesses.”

Airyn added: “As business partners, we also feel that we are compatible because we are able to divide responsibilities even with the differences in our opinions—these differences complete our business and relationship.” As busy entrepreneurs who are always on the go and as a mum and dad partnership, Airyn and Antonio make sure to keep their weekends free for their two lovely boys.

Be My Valentine

A lifelong marriage sounds blissful, but it takes commitment and compromise to make it come true. Having spent 25 years as husband and wife, Denny and Helen Haryono witnessed how their relationship flourished from a passionate relationship into a lasting companionship. After only six months of dating, the current Founder of Universal Express and his counterpart decided to tie the knot in 1993. Now, the lovely couple are the proud parents of four and have recently celebrated their anniversary.

“Marriage isn’t easy—it’s teamwork,” said Helen. “We try to make a habit out of praising each other instead of instigating arguments.” Though she currently manages Madeline Beauty Center, Helen used to help her husband out with his business, an ability Denny is grateful for in his wife. With the growth of both their businesses, Denny and Helen now dedicate their free time to travel together or maintain family traditions, such as weekly church visits.