A woman who is dating a man twice her age said she faces stigma because of the age gap - and that women will stop in the street to ask if she's ok when she goes out with her partner.
Samantha Stinchcomb, 25, is in a relationship with 50-year-old Bill Hughes and said that she often encounters people who react badly when they learn of the age difference.
The pair from Maryland, USA, have lost friends because of it and Samantha said that she is sometimes stopped in the street by women who want to make sure she's not in danger.
But she insists that they have a "deeper, more genuine connection than any other relationship" - although she sometimes has to explain new technology to Bill as he doesn't get it.
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Samantha said: "My true friends have always been supportive because they see the relationship and how happy it makes both of us.
"The people that know me know I am attracted to people with life experience because I'm a very experienced individual.
"Any 'friends' that have had an issue with it are no longer my friends because they couldn't see through the surface.
"My mum has been supportive from the beginning because she sees how much he loves me and takes care of me, and how beneficial I am to him as well. It's a very mutually supportive, equal relationship."
Bill owns a restaurant called Barracudas and employed Samantha as a waitress and she quickly rose through the ranks before the pair started dating in 2019.
She was due to move to Australia in 2020 so the relationship was supposed to be 'just for fun', but when covid scuppered her plans the pair ended up in a committed relationship.
She added: "I was stuck in the US and gave my all to Barracudas and Billy. When we reopened post-pandemic, I was promoted to general manager.
"This has posed a challenge for us because it can be difficult to work with or for your partner, especially since he's so established in this business and I was a set of fresher, younger eyes that wanted to move things forward a little bit more.
"We've been able to make it work, and we genuinely enjoy working together, but it can be difficult to separate the romantic relationship from the professional relationship. However, we've found a way to make it work."
While their friends are used to seeing the pair together, people they meet are often surprised they are romantic partners.
Samantha added: "Some have referred to him as my father on numerous occasions. Maybe it's in my head, but I sometimes feel like people think less of me because I'm dating an older man - like I took the easy way out.
"I think there is just a stigma surrounding age gap relationships in general, especially when the gap is as large as mine at 25 years.
"Men see us and think I'm a young, naive, inexperienced little girl who knows nothing about life. Women see me as a gold-digging whore with daddy issues who just want to take the easy way out of life.
"These are two extreme examples, but definitely possible. I've had people, usually women, ask me if I'm okay or need help, which is very strange to me while I'm enjoying a nice day out with Billy.
"But again, these are extreme cases. For the most part, it's just a lot of whispers behind our back and judgemental stares, but most people aren't outright rude about it.
"I think a lot of the issues with age gap relationships stems from others' jealousy. Older women that think you're taking their men, older men that wish they had a younger woman.
"I've come to find that most people closer to my age are a lot more understanding and that the judgement normally comes from older people.
"I think my generation has this understanding that you love someone for who they are, not their age, race, class status, gender, etc.
"All in all, I really hope sharing my story is a way to bring a positive light to age gap relationships. There are so many amazing benefits of our partnership that I'm still discovering each day, and it's a relationship unlike any other. The stigma is annoying, but it doesn't bother me or Billy at all, and I don't care if someone else is bothered.
"I definitely think people in age gap relationships face stigmas and it's really sad. People judge us before they know us at all and simply write us off.
"This is honestly the happiest, healthiest relationship I've ever been in and I don't mind the age difference at all. I've come to realise that the people that know me and Billy the best will support us because they see the love we share.
"The people who don't support us don't matter."
Just like any relationship, Samantha and Bill have unique challenges to face and have to work and together to keep things going smoothly.
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She added: "Another challenge would be technology, as in Billy is technology-challenged. It's hard explaining things that seem so simple to me to him but, again, we make it work.
"Communication is key, which is why we see a couples counsellor who has helped us immensely learn how to communicate better.
"My advice would be to just trust yourself because you know when something is right for you and just follow that trust and see where it takes you.
"This relationship has taken me to beautiful places and I couldn't be happier to share those experiences with my favourite person. Age is just a number! Love and life are what really matter."
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