A woman who married a man 19 years older than her has shared her experience of being in an age-gap relationship, including how she broke the news to her parents. Emily Stomatuk, 28, married Michael Justin, 47, in November 2023. They met when she was 23 and he was 42.
Living in Los Angeles, the couple frequently faces questions about their age difference. In a recent TikTok video, they discussed how they informed their families. Emily, who works as an ICU travel nurse, confessed, “My parents had some concerns.”
Emily admitted that she had to “train some of the f**k boy out of him,” but said they started as just friends before their relationship became serious. She also mentioned that her parents had some concerns.
She remembered her father discovering she was dating Michael and the argument that ensued.
“He was like, ‘I raised you better than this,”‘ she shared in a recent video. “It was [a] dagger to the heart.”
During the pandemic, the couple’s relationship grew stronger, and Emily thought it was the right time for her boyfriend to meet her parents.
“Honestly, after the day they met him, there has not been one issue since. They saw how happy we were together,” she added.
Emily noted that Michael “really took care” of her during that period, especially since she was still in nursing school. Her parents could see how committed he was.
“[I have] a great relationship with her dad, great relationship with her mom,” said Michael adding that Emily’s father think of him as his son.
Users on TikTok shared their opinions about the couple and their age difference, with a majority expressing support for their relationship.
“My mum and dad are 22 years apart. And me and my fiancé are 14. As long as there’s respect and love, it’s all good,” one person commented.
“My parents are 19 years apart! Nothing but love, and it’s completely normal to me,” a second added.
“I just think it’s so funny people are putting their opinions on your relationship like they’re the people in it! All that matters is you are happy!!” a third chimed in. “I was married at the age of 20 to my late husband who was 19 years older than me. We were married for 31 years before he passed away due to cancer. Age did not make a difference!”
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Source: DailyMail