'She is my first love': M'sian woman, 64, & man, 27, celebrate 6 years of marriage with 0 fights

Love works in mysterious ways, and for one Malaysian couple, it looks like successfully navigating a 37-year age gap to build a lasting marriage.

Norlida Mohamed Salleh, 64, and Muhd Sabree Razaman, 27, tied the knot in September 2020.

At the time of their wedding, Norlida was 58 while Sabree was 21.

Six years on, the couple who live in Negeri Sembilan say that over the years, their relationship has become increasingly harmonious, built on a foundation of solid communication and mutual understanding.

This is Norlida's third marriage, and she has six children aged between 26 and 40.

'She is my first love'

The couple first crossed paths at the minimart where Norlida had worked, reported Berita Harian (BH).

Sabree was a frequent customer of the minimart, which happened to be owned by her second ex-husband.

Norlida shared, "We've known each other for a long time because we live in the same neighbourhood, but we started getting to know each other two years before getting married".

Their friendship blossomed from these regular shop visits, and Sabree eventually developed romantic feelings for her.

Norlida admitted she had initially ruled out remarrying after separating from her former husband in 2016.

"I only cared for him and initially regarded him like a son, but eventually we became partners."

She ultimately accepted what she saw as God's will and was won over by his sincerity and mature personality despite Sabree being 19 years old when they first met.

Speaking to the New Straits Times (NST), Sabree revealed, "I had never been in love with any woman before I met my wife, so she is my first love."

Family acceptance

When the couple first discussed marriage, they faced mixed reactions from their respective families.

Norlida's children were initially sceptical about the union.

"I understand that I am getting older, so they may have thought there were bad intentions since my husband is much younger."

However, her children eventually accepted her choice.

Sabree, who works as a school security guard, clarified to NST that he has never taken financial advantage of his wife: "I work day and night because I am aware that it is a husband's responsibility to earn a living and provide for his wife."

While Norlida's family, including four stepchildren older than Sabree, had accepted him "from day one", his family initially struggled to approve of their relationship.

"But I stood by my decision because I saw it as fate that had already been written. I was ready to become a husband, even though I was only 21 at the time."

The couple maintained that their marriage remained strong due to consistent communication and the belief that their match was determined by God.

6 years of marital bliss

Norlida described her husband as a loving and understanding husband, according to Harian Metro.

Over their six years of marriage, Norlida claimed that they had never fought.

She added that Sabree would always give her a massage before he goes to work and get her a drink before meals at home.

Norlida said that she has asked Sabree to take on another wife so he could have his own children but he refused.

She said: "He promised that he'll never leave me, but I'll accept it if he has a change of heart one day."

"I promise to take care of my wife until the end of her life and I will never leave her. Whatever happens, I want her to remain before my eyes," he told NST.

Norlida, who currently earns a living by taking orders for kuih, echoed the sentiment: "He still has a long journey ahead of him and before I close my eyes, I want to make him happy. I always pray that Allah gives my husband strength."