A 23-year-old woman has become step-mum to children only a few months younger than her after meeting her professional gambling fiance who’s 34 years older than her.
Alyssa Renee Gutierrez, originally met her professional sports gambling fiance, Peter, 57, on a dating app, and said they had “instant chemistry”.
Peter, who doesn’t want to use his last name, says he “never tires of her youth or beauty.”
Peter has two children from his previous 15-year marriage and Alyssa is only three months older than his own eldest daughter, whom she is now step-mum to.
The duo, from Las Vegas in the US, recently got engaged and when out strangers often mistake Peter for her father.
Alyssa works as a hairdresser and said, "We live a luxurious lifestyle which often includes dining at the best restaurants, going to high end designer shops, travelling monthly, buying exotic cars, and living other upscale experiences.
"We were both living in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the time we met, and our first date was three days before my 20th birthday.
"Peter had just got out of a 15-year marriage in which he had two children - one of his daughter's is only three months younger than me and we are such good friends!
"I've always been attracted to older men my whole life - people think I only like men who are older than my father which isn't true because when I was 18, I had multiple relationships with people ageing from their 20s to their 40s.
"When I was dating men my age, they were more worried about hooking up with me and playing games and they would never commit.
"I've always liked the thought of maturity, no drama, stability and realness in an older man which is why they're my type - he appreciates me and goes above and beyond to make me feel special.
"There is constant judgement surrounding age gap relationships but as time progresses, it's becoming more common.
"I was hesitant of people looking at us in the beginning but now, I'm very comfortable with public affection with him and we are just like any other normal couple.
"Peter is older than both my parents and a lot of people say he looks like my dad."
Peter, who alongside professional gambling is an accountant, said, "After my 15-year marriage ended, I enjoyed dating younger women.
"I love Alyssa's enthusiasm for life and wanting to explore new things.
"This relationship with Alyssa is the most compatible that I have ever been in.
"We get along so well and enjoy similar interests and truly love being with each other - we're inseparable."
When their relationship first began, Alyssa was worried how people would perceive the 34-year age gap and kept it a secret from her parents for a year and even losing friends over it.
Alyssa explained: "This was my biggest age gap relationship yet so of course I was nervous and sceptical on how my family, friends and strangers would view it.
"We kept our relationship very low profile for about a year until we felt ready to share - my parents were very supportive of the relationship which I'm grateful for.
"I lost some friendships and my best friend at the time because of it but I've gained so many more who accept and love us together.
"We live in Vegas so it's pretty common seeing older men with younger women.
"A lot of people say I must have 'daddy issues' when in reality, I have an amazing relationship with my father.
"We constantly get DMs from people saying we're a great looking couple, but we also get people who say I'm in it for the money because they see us going for lavish meals and holidays but when you're in love with someone, every opinion is blind, and we brush it off."
The pair got engaged with a five carat diamond ring on a yacht in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, and are talking kids in the far future.
Alyssa said, "What attracted me to Peter in the beginning was the way he carried himself - he's very attractive, physically fit, smart, young at heart and easy to talk to.
"Peter has two children - Payton, 20, and Jenna, 22, and we all travel together occasionally and love spending time together.
"They have accepted me into the family which is really nice.
"We do talk about the possibility of having kids, but we are in no rush and would love to travel a bit more first and experience life.
"We would love to start an age gap relationship reality show one day.
"I am trying not to think far in the future because I am still young and enjoy pool parties, nightclubs, concerts and festivals.
"Peter loves going to all of these because he is so young at heart and full of energy.
"All our friends know we are crazy and party hard - we even go to strip clubs very often."
Peter said: "Alyssa is beautiful but she is also kind, sweet and isn't trying to take advantage of my wealth.
"I know Alyssa enjoys our more affluent lifestyle, but this isn't the focus of her love.
"I don't think anyone could buy Alyssa's love or affection - she is so real and down to earth.
"I never get tired of her youth and beauty.”
