T

he hustle and bustle of city life drains so much energy that romantic couples find it hard to keep the spark alive in their relationship. Some, however, find joy in their married life through sharing the same hobby.

Teddy W. Kusuma, 37, along with his wife, Maesy Ang, 33, are among the lucky few who have created a business out of their love for reading.

The couple, who met in 2003 and married in 2013, are independent book lovers who currently own a modest bookstore named Post Santa in Pasar Santa, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

“Maesy and I met in a debate competition during our college years. She was from Atmajaya and I was from STAN [the state accounting academy],” Teddy told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

“Our first date was filled with discussion about books and writers we both like, such as Umar Kayam and Seno Gumira Ajidarma. She introduced me to NH Dini’s books and science fiction novels, which I previously didn’t like. It was exciting and lovely.”

After nine years of dating, they finally tied the knot and pursued their hobby to amplify their love of books to society.

At a rented kiosk in the revitalized traditional market, Teddy and Maesy select the books based on their preferences.

“Maesy once got furious when she saw the shelves in our store were dominated by books written by white, male writers,” Teddy said. “As an alternative bookstore, we’d like to give room to all kinds of writers to gather many perspectives, including male and female writers from all continents, races and religions.”

The couple treat the bookshop like their own child. Starting as a one-block-store that only displayed a few titles, Post Santa has expanded and can accommodate hundreds of visitors. They regularly hold discussions to bring writers and readers together.

“Having my own bookshop has been my dream since I was a kid. I never thought that I could realize it with my husband,” said Maesy, adding that she and her husband have also published travel and fiction books.

Two other couples who found love are Siti Soraya “Sandra” Cassandra, 29, and Dhira Narayana, 30, and Siti Alia Ramadhani, 26, and Rendria Arsyan Labde, also 26. Sandra and Alia and their respective husbands are environmental enthusiasts who have a passion toward conserving nature.

In July 2016, the two couples built a gardening facility called Kebun Kumara (Kumara Garden) in Ciputat, South Tangerang. Kebun Kumara, which is aimed at reconnecting urban life with nature, consists of a nursery, a compost house and a forest garden.

“In 2016, the four of us traveled to Yogyakarta. We took a permaculture — a holistic and sustainable farming method — design course at the Bumi Langit Institute,” Alia explained on Tuesday.

“It was such a moment of revelation that we were inspired to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle and encourage other people to do so.”

In the 1.5 hectare garden, they regularly hold gardening workshops for the public on the weekend. The workshops, which last from three to seven hours, emphasize permaculture’s application to urban living.

They teach the participants about waste management techniques, a local waste solution system called Ecobrick, composting and farming.

“There’s a lot of pressure in running a business and a movement at the same time, especially with my own family. We often argue and fight over matters that we perceive as important. The more we argue means the more we care about mother earth,” said the part time dentist while laughing.

However, it is the passion itself that brings them together. Sharing the same hobby, Alia added, has not only given her the opportunity to explore the matter she is concerned about, but also made her relationship with her husband, sister and brother-in-law become fruitfully satisfying. (vla)