The long-distance relationship between Desy Fatmala Makhmud and Brian Bima Toro Yudi Hendrawan is one of the many LDR (Long Distance Relationship) couples who managed to advance to a more serious level, marriage. The couple chose Sejauh Mata Memandang to be one of the witnesses who accompanied their happiness in one of their wedding processions. They were attracted by Sejauh's vision and mission which is closely related to the environment.
Sejauh (S): Tell us, how long have you guys been dating?
Desy (D): So actually, we never had a bond like dating before marriage, hehe... We are also on different islands, I am in Takengon (Central Aceh), and he (Brian) is in Jakarta. We've known each other for quite a while, since the end of 2014. Our introduction started from him (Brian) contacting me via short message (SMS), and he got my cellphone number from his junior during school/college. His junior was my senior in high school. In 2015 I moved to Jakarta to continue my studies and started meeting Brian in person, then in 2016 Brian moved to Ambon to work at the airport there and I remained in Jakarta. We have known each other for about 8 years. During that time we could count on our fingers the number of meetings we had. Apart from our respective busy schedules, the long distance was also a reason. We knew each other for a long time until finally we held a proposal ceremony on October 14, 2021 and we decided to get married on July 18, 2022.
S: Where did you guys meet?
D: In the beginning, we were still separated when we met through text messages. As I said above, I met Brian when I was in the 3rd grade of high school in Central Aceh. Then a year later, I decided to study at a university in Jakarta. When I was about to leave for Jakarta, back then there was still a social media called "Path", I shared my situation of leaving for Jakarta through that social media, by uploading "checked in" "arrived in Jakarta". From there, he learned that I was in Jakarta. But he didn't know why I was there, because I didn't tell him about my studies there. And, at that time our introduction was only limited to the necessary communication through text messages. Then, he asked me about my whereabouts and purpose for coming to Jakarta. From there I told her my intentions and purpose for coming there. Long story short, on October 31, 2015 we agreed to make an appointment to meet for the first time after a long time of only saying hello via text message. We met at the campus where I was studying. After class hours, I waited in the campus hall. He came alone, and I was accompanied by my cousin who happened to be the same age and took the same course at the campus. At that time I had mixed feelings, ranging from embarrassment, awkwardness, and even fear because this was my first experience meeting new people with this kind of life storyline. Not yet finished with my inner war of feelings, he invited me and my cousin to go to one of the cafes in Depok. Feeling awkward, I said yes to his invitation. That first meeting was very memorable and led to our next meetings.
S: Tell us about your first date!
D: After meeting Brian for the first time, we never set a specific time to meet again afterward. We intensely exchanged messages through our cell phones, sharing stories about our daily lives. I remember the conversation we had when we met Brian before he left for work in Ambon, Maluku, where I started to feel sad because there was less and less time to see each other or even our meeting would only end here. But we touched on what the future would be like while laughing because we fully surrendered how fate would bring "We'll just live it, while continuing our respective lives," seemingly passively, but that's how it is.
S: How well do you know your partner?
D: We have known each other for almost 8 years and finally decided to get married. In that long span of time, we almost knew each other's characteristics. There were a lot of problems, but there were also a lot of happiness that we felt during the time we knew each other. We realize that every decision is always accompanied by consequences, and we should be ready with that. We believe, whatever God has outlined for you, will be yours. It will never be switched. For that, walk.
S: Any relationship tips you want to share?
D: Maybe there are no specific tips, but every day we always familiarize ourselves with understanding each other and commit to not interfering in our partner's personal business (personal space), support each other in every positive activity inside or outside of our respective jobs, provide free time to chat about anything that passes, always pray for every goodness and blessing in life.
S: What are your matching couple items?
D: Just Kebaya Panjang Ombak Laut (Putih) and Long Sleeve Shirt Ombak Laut (Putih).
S: How did you know Sejauh Mata Memandang?
D: I discovered about Sejauh Mata Memandang from a movie called "Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2".
S: Why did you opt for the Sejauh Mata Memandang brand?
D: Because of the environmental conservation program implemented by the Sejauh Mata Memandang team, the product is quite unique.
S: What was your first impression of the Sejauh Mata Memandang brand?
D: So happy, not only the clothes are nice, but most importantly, we can also contribute to the environmental conservation program.
S: Which item is your favorite?
D: “Ombak Laut Collection”. The first collection we have from Sejauh Mata Memandang, but it seems to be the most memorable collection for us, because we can wear it at a good moment in our life story.
S: What do you know about responsible fashion?
D: I think that every piece of clothing and anything that we buy is something that we should be responsible for, buying things in moderation and as needed, because it will add to the waste of clothes that are difficult to recycle. I also try to apply "one in, one out" in my dressing principle, giving old clothes to people in need will be more meaningful than just piling them up in the closet.
S: Who inspires you to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
D: Rara Sekar and Soraya Cassandra. I really like how they started sustainable living through their daily food needs, gardening is a very fun thing. In addition to supporting food security programs, gardening can also teach us how we manage and utilize the extraordinary potential of nature.
S: #SejauhManaKamuPeduli to help our planet?
D: It starts with small things, such as avoiding the use of single-use plastic bags and bottles, reducing the use of groundwater by starting a rainwater harvesting system that can then be used to wash vehicles, water plants, and others. As a Landscape Architect, I also try to apply environment-based designs in every development, restoring critical lands with an ecological approach.
