Madina, an Ossetian by nationality, was born in 1993 in Kyzyl-Kiya, located in the Batken region, where she spent her childhood years.
“Currently, our whole family has temporarily moved to Russia; we now live in Mezhdurechensk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. This decision is related to my job. I graduated from the Kyrgyz State Medical University in Bishkek with a degree in medicine and then completed a residency in oncology. At the moment, I work as an oncologist-mammologist and continue my education in ultrasound diagnostics,” Madina shared.
The story of how the couple met began back in their school years.
“I was only 16, and Eldiyar was 19. He practiced sambo. One day, while I was walking to school, he came out for a run from the gym. It was like a movie: he said he liked me right away and shouted, ‘Girl, you are very beautiful!’ I replied, ‘Thank you.’ Since then, he didn’t leave me alone, giving me rides in his car. I just responded to his compliment, and he decided he wanted to marry me. From the very first days, he said he would marry me, no matter what,” Madina recalls.
Eldiyar was also born and raised in Kyzyl-Kiya, and he is Kyrgyz by nationality.
“At first, I didn’t believe that our relationship could be successful since we come from different cultures. For a long time, I couldn’t imagine marrying him, but he was very persistent. We dated for three years before we got married. Eldiyar confessed his love to me after a month of courtship when I told him I didn’t want to communicate anymore because I didn’t see anything in common between us. He didn’t give up, and to prove his feelings, he wrote on the school wall: ‘Madina 11 A, I love you’ in red spray paint. It was bold, and of course, after that, I told the principal about his act, but I liked him,” Madina remembers.
The wedding was grand since Eldiyar is the only son. “My mother-in-law organized a magnificent wedding: limousines, Hummers, Lexuses, a restaurant for 800 people. It was unimaginable,” she says.
Madina quickly adapted to her new family and, as the only daughter-in-law, felt loved and protected. She says that her mother-in-law called her “kızım” (my daughter) from the very first day and never used the word “kelin” (bride). “She became not only my mother-in-law but also a mother and best friend to me. We have no secrets, and I have learned a lot from her. When I got married, I was in my third year of studies, and her support was very important to me,” she noted.
Madina shared an incident that shows what kind of father and husband Eldiyar is:
“I remember the moment when our firstborn was born. He was not only with me during the delivery but also stayed overnight at the hospital. Eldiyar arranged with the staff and spent the first night in the maternity ward. In the morning, he left through the window, and the medical staff was thrilled; they said they had never seen anything like it,” she added.
She also noted that she likes Kyrgyz traditions. “After the birth of a child, we have many celebrations. The first person to announce the birth receives a ‘suyunchu’ (a gift), and then there is the ‘korunduk,’ which is given for the opportunity to see the baby. I was surprised by this, but what I like the most is being a ‘zheneshka’ (sister-in-law) at weddings when they come to buy the bride; it’s a good opportunity to earn some extra money,” Madina shared.
Although she has little free time, she tries to stay active. “I run, ride a bike, swim, and engage in other active sports because I don’t know where to put my energy,” she said.
The Zakirov family has four children: two sons and two daughters.
“This is exactly the family I dreamed of. My plans for the future are to return to my homeland as soon as possible; I miss Kyrgyzstan very much. I want to finish my contract, complete my training in ultrasound, and return with new knowledge and strength,” Madina concluded.
