The Jokowi-Iriana Love Story: From Cycling To Eating Meatballs On A Street Vendor

JAKARTA - The love stories of the nation's leaders are always interesting to listen to. The romance of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Iriana, for example. Their story is so simple. Traces of simplicity came when the two began dating. They eat on the sidewalk, study, and cycle together.

Moreover, Jokowi is considered by Jokowi to be his first and last love. In the meantime, the image of the simplicity of the two was still carried over until Jokowi became the number one person in Indonesia. When the two of them were dating, Jokowi admitted that he liked Iriana's simplicity.

In Jokowi's eyes, Iriana is a figure who is not adventurous. Both of them not only like simplicity, but live like most Indonesians. Because of that, the love life of the two is often linked like Barack Obama and Michelle LaVaughn Robinson (Michelle Obama). A love life that is closely related to the principles of mutual support, respect and admiration.

It is recorded that the two of them met for the first time when Iriana often visited to study at Jokowi's house. At that time, Iriana was a close friend of Jokowi's younger brother, Iit Sriyantini. Every time Iriana comes, Jokowi often glances at Iriana from behind a closed door. Iriana did not deny that he knew that Iit Sriyantini's brother was watching him at every meeting. Even Jokowi began to harbor feelings for Iriana.

"Iriana - usually called Ana - is a close friend of Jokowi's younger brother Iit Sriyantini. When Ana and 3rd grade SMA IIl Solo lit, Jokowi was already a third semester student at the Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. Iit often invites lriana to his house, whether it's just to play or study together. One day Jokowi was returning to Solo and saw Irianna at his house. Jokowi feels something different in his heart, "said Arimbi Bimoseno in Jokowi's book: Rapopo Jadi President (2014).

Then, the two of them began to fall in love. Jokowi has come to Iriana's house more often to get to know the figure he loves. Iriana who chose to continue his studies in Yogyakarta. To be precise at Muhammadiyah University. By going to school in one city, the two are getting closer. There, Jokowi and Iriana supported and encouraged each other in learning. This closeness was approved by Jokowi's mother, Sudjiatmi.

"In Sudjiatmi's memory, Iriana is the only love Jokowi has. Iriana, who is Iit's school friend, his second child, is Jokowi's only girlfriend who later becomes the only daughter-in-law in the Notomiharjo family, "said Sujiatmi as quoted by Kristin Samah et al in the book Saya Sujiatmi, Jokowi's mother: The Story of a Woman Teacher of Simplicity (2014) .

"Sujiatmi is sure, as a wife, Iriana is a woman who knows what to do to accompany Jokowi. Sujiatmi said: I believe, Jokowi and Mbak Ana, both of them already know what can and what cannot be done. They know what is good and what is not good, "he added.

Like the First President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, Jokowi also likes pedaling activities. Cycling for Jokowi is a fun activity. Even cycling has become Jokowi's hobby since he was in school. Cycling then becomes an interlude activity to get lessons on many things. Especially, regarding togetherness and romance.

Jokowi often pointed out this togetherness when he was still in SMP Negeri 1 Solo. Incidentally, Jokowi has a younger brother from the class of 1975 named Toto. Everyday Toto is often seen walking to school. Meanwhile, Jokowi seems to be enjoying cycling to school, which takes up a distance of approximately one kilometer. On that occasion, Jokowi was moved to help Toto so that he would not be tired by offering pillion when going to and from school.

"Almost every day I walk, while he rides a bicycle. Pak Jokowi used to have a dungaree bicycle, then I took a ride on a ride. We wanted to go to school and return home," said Toto, quoted by Domuara Ambarita in Jokowi's book: Spirit Bantaran Kali Anyar (2012).

Jokowi's jengki bicycle is a large pedal-sized bicycle, but smaller than an ontel bicycle. The difference is, ontel bikes fail more, are tall, and have a triangular iron frame. Meanwhile, the jengki bike is a little smaller, and there is no upper triangle iron. Or in another sense, a doped bike is like a duck motorbike and an ontel bicycle is a male motorbike.

Not unexpectedly, Jokowi's hobby in cycling continued until he went to college and started dating Iriana. Like a tit for tat, Iriana also has the same hobby as Jokowi, namely cycling. Jokowi also began to find romance from cycling.

"So, at the beginning, Jokowi's mother and I made an appointment to eat meatballs on a bicycle. Then I repeated it again, I invited it again to be like a bike. That second difference, I'm sure Jokowi's mother is happy with me already. Already hit with this. But on a bike ride the chain broke several times. But what is clear is that the love chain between me and Jokowi's mother never breaks, ”said Jokowi in his interview with Cak Lontong in the 30 Minutes program with Cak Lontong (2019).

The momentum of cycling and eating meatballs at the sidewalks became a memorable experience for both of them. Even though it seems simple, that momentum is what determines the two of them getting married on December 24, 1986. The marriage made them the parents of their three children: Gibran Rakabuming Raka (1987), Kahiyang Ayu (1991), and Kaesang Pangarep (1994).

“I used to choose meatballs because they were right for me and cheap. If I used to take Jokowi's mother to eat tumpeng rice, Jokowi's mother would have been full. Meatballs are local wisdom. Meatballs are round, we are determined to build a happy household. To be one continuously, "Jokowi concluded.

* Read other information about JOKOWI or read other interesting articles from Detha Arya Tifada.