61-Year-Old Retiree Marries 28-Year-Old Woman In Sabah
The woman shared that her new husband's youngest child is the same age as her.
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A 33-year age gap between a 28-year-old woman and her new husband, aged 61, has sparked online admiration in Sabah. The couple tied the knot on 20 October, just over six weeks after they first met.
Their romance began when the woman, Norain Azlyin Abd Rasad, was introduced to Awang Zainal Abidin Awang Damit Yahya by her uncle at a restaurant on 2 September.
According to Harian Metro, the couple's story gained attention after Norain shared videos and photos with her husband, a retired Sabah Water Department employee, on TikTok.
Reflecting on their journey, Norain, who had only recently came out of a 10 year long marriage, admitted she did not expect to remarry so soon after her divorce this year.
"I never thought I would get married this year as I had only separated from my ex-husband seven months ago. But two months ago, my uncle introduced me to my husband, who is also his friend.
"Initially, I did wonder why he introduced me to someone older, but after talking, I realised [Awang Zainal] is not like other men because he didn't take advantage of me," she said.
Norain explained that her husband's sincerity was apparent early on, especially when he formally approached her parents for her hand
"It was clear he wasn't just all talk but proved his intentions by meeting my parents to express his wish to marry me. Alhamdulillah, my mother and father didn't object, even though my husband is older, and they agreed because they didn't want us to continue going out without a lawful relationship.
"Moreover, I'm a single mother who had just completed my iddah (the period a woman in Islam must observe after divorce), so it wouldn't look good to others," she said.
Both families embraced the union, including their children from previous marriages.
Norain, who is a mother of three, shared that her husband's youngest child, who is the same age as her, was fully supportive
"I have three children from my previous marriage, and so does my husband, but they all accepted our decision. My husband's youngest child is the same age as me, but there's no issue.
"Honestly, I am happy because I've never experienced this kind of happiness before.
"I feel comfortable with him because our thinking and life experiences are quite similar. What I love most is how he raises his children, especially when he encourages them to pray in congregation," she added.
Awang Zainal, who lost his wife in 2022, said their significant age difference and familial responsibilities did not deter him
"From the start of our relationship, we were compatible, and I love kids, so I treat her children as my own. My children also accepted her, and during the akad nikah ceremony and wedding reception, they attended.
"My hope now is for our marriage to be happy and our union to last," he said.