President Prabowo Subianto organized an event to foster camaraderie among members of the Merah Putih Cabinet. On October 21, 2024, he led ministers and deputy ministers to Lembah Tidar, Magelang, home to the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil).

Lembah Tidar, primarily known for shaping cadets into accomplished soldiers, holds stories beyond military training. It's where love blossomed for Susilo "SBY" Bambang Yudhoyono and Kristiani Herrawati, later known as Ani Yudhoyono, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

Early Influences

SBY, born in Pacitan on September 9, 1949, often spoke about his father, Raden Soekotjo, a military officer who inspired his disciplined upbringing. Witnessing soldiers conducting drills in his village further fueled young SBY's ambition to join the armed forces. A pivotal moment came during a fifth-grade vacation to Lembah Tidar with his father.

The visit deeply impacted SBY, igniting dreams of becoming a soldier. In 1970, his aspirations came true when he officially became a cadet at Akmil, embarking on a transformative journey.

SBY's dedication to his studies and training was unwavering. As written by Arwan Tuti Artha in "Dunia Religius SBY" (2009): "In his long journey, SBY entered the Armed Forces Academy (AKABRI) in 1970. This marked the beginning of his illustrious career."

Life at Akmil

Akmil life was grueling, with rigorous routines designed to test the cadets' endurance. SBY excelled and stood out as a promising officer. His leadership abilities caught the attention of Akmil Governor Sarwo Edhie Wibowo who trusted SBY to become the Commander of the Cadets Corps.

Sarwo Edhie's decision to reside on campus allowed him to closely observe cadets' progress. This led to an unexpected twist: SBY meeting Sarwo's daughter, Kristiani Herrawati.

Love at First Sight

Ani, then a medical student at the Christian University of Indonesia, often spent her vacations in Lembah Tidar. Her encounter with SBY in 1973 blossomed into a budding romance.

Initially admiring him from afar, Ani soon found herself drawn to SBY's charisma and qualities. Sarwo Edhie, aware of Ani's little crush, shared stories about SBY's exceptional character, further deepening her admiration.

The pair spent a significant time together during Ani's visits, nurturing a connection that eventually blossomed into love. Reflecting on their romance, Ani said in Alberthiene Endah's "Ani Yudhoyono: Kepak Sayap Putri Prajurit" (2010): "Neither of us expected this. Falling in love felt like a natural phase in our lives."

The Journey to Marriage

As their relationship grew, the couple maintained communication through letters, with SBY often expressing his feelings through poetry, including one titled "Flamboyan", inspired by the blossoming trees at Akmil.

SBY graduated as Akmil's top cadet in 1973. Then, in 1974, he proposed to Ani, the love of his life. The two tied the knot on July 30, 1976.

Ani's unwavering support accompanied SBY throughout his military and political career, from being a soldier to becoming Indonesia's sixth president. Reflecting on their meeting, SBY wrote on Instagram in 2019: "In 1973, Ani and I were brought together at Akmil Magelang. It was here that our love began, transcending time and space. Rest in peace, Memo."

Lembah Tidar remains a timeless testament to their love story—a bond forged amidst the challenges of military life and nurtured by shared dreams.

Writer: Fariz Ahmad Luthfi