Man, 28, falls in love with the voice of a woman who rang him by mistake, tracks her down and discovers she is 82… but marries her anyway 

  • Sofian Loho Dandel, 28, married 82-year-old Martha Potu in Indonesia last week
  • The wedding came a year Potu accidentally dialed the wrong number and Dandel picked up the phone
  • The pair began speaking on the phone, and Dandel, a 28-year-old garage mechanic in Indonesia, fell in love with Potu's voice
  • When they finally met in person, Dandel was shocked to discover that Potu was an 82-year-old widow, as she had never disclosed her age
  • He had already expressed his love, however, and his feelings were unchanged

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Mailonline

Published: 05:46 EDT, 22 February 2017 | Updated: 06:17 EDT, 22 February 2017

When Sofian Loho Dandel received a call from a woman who accidentally dialed the wrong number, he never imagined that their talk would last nearly an hour - and more, that after a year he'd end up marrying the caller. 

Dandel, a 28-year-old garage mechanic in Indonesia, fell in love with Martha Potu's voice so much that he decided to meet her in person.

But when he reached Potu's house, he could not believe the person who answered the door - an 82-year-old widow - was the woman he'd fallen in love with.

Sofian Loho Dandel, 28, married 82-year-old Martha Potu in Indonesia last week, a year after meeting when Potu accidentally dialed the wrong number and Dandel picked up the phone

Sofian Loho Dandel, 28, married 82-year-old Martha Potu in Indonesia last week, a year after meeting when Potu accidentally dialed the wrong number and Dandel picked up the phone

The pair began speaking on the phone, and Dandel, a 28-year-old garage mechanic in Indonesia, fell in love with the voice of Potu so much that he decided to meet her in person

The pair began speaking on the phone, and Dandel, a 28-year-old garage mechanic in Indonesia, fell in love with the voice of Potu so much that he decided to meet her in person

In contrast to the damsel with flawless skin he dreamed of, Potu is an elderly woman 54 years his senior.

While Dandel was shocked at Potu's appearance because she hadn't disclosed her age over the phone, he had already expressed his love to her and his feelings remained unchanged. 

The two chatted for hours and Dandel learned that Potu had been living a lonely life after her husband died ten years ago and her two children left the country to work abroad.

Moved by her story, Dandel, who had never dated before, promised to stay with her forever.

On February 18 this year, they exchanged wedding vows in presence of their family and loved ones in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

While Dandel was shocked at Potu's appearance because she hadn't disclosed her age over the phone, he had already expressed his love to her and his feelings remained unchanged

While Dandel was shocked at Potu's appearance because she hadn't disclosed her age over the phone, he had already expressed his love to her and his feelings remained unchanged

The couple wed on February 18 in presence of their family and loved ones in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

The couple wed on February 18 in presence of their family and loved ones in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

The overjoyed groom said: 'It all started after a call came into my cell phone a year ago. I just answered it not knowing who it was.

'I loved how she introduced herself and how politely she was talking. Then on, we continued chatting over the phone.

'She was caring and full of energy and with each passing day, I was drawing towards her. I had never dated before and started feeling in love.

'I could not wait to meet her but I did not know how old she was. But we felt really in love and agreed to continue this relationship.'

The road to their marriage was rocky, however. Due Indonesia being a conservative society, there were some strong opposition from their families to their relationship.

Eventually, the lovers eventually won over their families with their determination and loyalty for each other.

Due Indonesia being a conservative society, there were some strong opposition from their families to their relationship. But the lovers eventually won over their families with their determination and loyalty for each other. Pictured above, Dandel and Potu pose with Dandel's mother, Magdalena (back right) and brother, Oscar (back left)

Due Indonesia being a conservative society, there were some strong opposition from their families to their relationship. But the lovers eventually won over their families with their determination and loyalty for each other. Pictured above, Dandel and Potu pose with Dandel's mother, Magdalena (back right) and brother, Oscar (back left)

Dandel's mother, Magdalena, 60, said: 'We did not know he had chosen a grandmother! He had kept her age hiding from us until we met her. 

'We were naturally surprised but seeing their love for each other, we not know if his future wife, a grandmother. 

'Very surprised at the time, but what can I say. We see them love each other, so we accepted his choice.'

For Potu, who has the blush of a new-bride on her face, her husband is a God's gift to her.

'I used to pray God for a companion who can take care of me at this old age and he answered my prayers by sending Sofian as a blessing into my life,' the old bride said.

The unusual couple has become the talk of the town after a guest uploaded their pictures from the wedding on the internet. 

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