When Eliza Geaghan-Forbes, 22, met customer Rick, 50, while working in a petrol station, she immediately felt fireworks.
And despite the 28-year age gap, their romance has only flourished, and the couple is now married with two kids of their own.
Hitting back at critics, Eliza says their sex life is phenomenal and that the pair are extremely happy in the bedroom together.
The 22-year-old says her family eventually accepted the relationship and insists she's always preferred older men romantically.
They are now happily married with two children called Aaron, 19 months and Rowan, five months, after first meeting in 2018.
Strangers often mistake Eliza for Rick's daughter but she says she brushes off the attention they get in public while out together.
The medical assistant student said she is happier than ever and doesn't care what others think.
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Eliza, from Maine, US, said: “I think people automatically think the worst with age gap relationships. They assume the younger person is being groomed and consider them a victim.
“But really, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. “I first met Rick in 2018 whilst working in a gas station and he wasn’t interested because of my age.
“But I fancied him and continued to pursue him by adding him on Facebook. He was respectful and considerate of my age until he was convinced I was serious about him.
"And the rest is history, we are now happily married with two children.
Despite having a family of their own, Rick has been mistaken to be Eliza’s dad.
She adds: “I used to constantly look around at people’s reaction whilst out with Rick.
“But now, I don’t care. As long as I am happy.
“We have been mistaken for father and daughter whilst out but now we just brush it off. The age gap doesn’t make a difference at all.
“Rick has treated me better than any guy who is my age.”
The couple defend their relationship by stating they have heaps in common such as fostering animals, raising their children and sharing the same sense of humour.
Eliza adds: “My friends were accepting from the get-go because they could see how happy he makes me.
“Younger people are inquisitive about our sex life but it is safe to say we are very compatible in that way. He has a higher sex drive and more energy than me."
Eliza admits family members were worried about the age gap until they met him.
She said: "I've always liked older men but I have never dated one before so it was a shock to my family.
"They were worried in case I got hurt but now, our relationship is totally accepted.
"We are happy, healthy and thriving.
"The only people who may have something to say are strangers but we don't care.
“People in their twenties assume older men objectify younger women but I have found this is more the case with young men.”
