A 36-year-old woman fell in love with a 63-year-old man after a chance encounter at a grocery store.Before they met, the woman only dated people of the same sex. After forming a friendship, they fell in love, married, and had a child.Advertisement
A couple from New York always turn heads wherever they go. Their striking age gap made people often think they were father and daughter. Gretchen Dillon, 36, only dated women before meeting Michael Dillon, 63, at a grocery store. They are both from Syracuse, New York, and they met by chance at a grocery store in 2014.
After some small talk, they formed a friendship, eventually becoming something more. Seven months after meeting, they took their relationship to the next level and started dating. They never saw their age gap as a hindrance to their love. Three years into their relationship, they married and decided to start a family.
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Through the years, they were subject to the judgment of their families, friends, and even strangers. With an infant son now in their lives, people often think that Michael is the babys grandfather.
“People often mistake my husband for my dad, but we just laugh it off,” Gretchen shared. Often, when people get to know them, their perceptions change, and they begin to understand why the couple is meant to be together.
During the early days of their relationship, even Gretchens friends tried to talk her out of it. “My friend tried to stop me from marrying him. She kept saying I was going to be a widow,” she revealed.
However, she loved Michael and didnt care what anyone would think. She was going to marry him no matter what other people said. That friend didnt end up on their wedding invite list. Gretchen decided to cut her out of her life once and for all.
Likewise, Michaels friends couldnt understand why he had to date someone almost thirty years younger than him. However, they understood why they made such a good pair after seeing them together and getting accustomed to their presence.
During their first night together, Gretchen found herself disappointed. She later revealed she became “upset” because, in her head, she never thought she would be with an older man.
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It took some time for her to be comfortable with the fact that shed be with Michael for the rest of her life, but she eventually came to terms with it. Now, shes never been happier with their life together. They welcomed their son Shannon in October 2021. Michael had one child from a previous relationship and was also a stepfather.
However, Michael being a father to Shannon was different, according to Gretchen. Because of his age, she believes his knowledge and experience made him an even better dad.
While he cant be horsing around with his son all day because his body refuses him, he still loves playing with his son. He is a hands-on dad and has a lot of patience for the little guy.
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Internet user comments dated 2022 | Source: Daily Mail UK
In the same way, people mistake Michael for Gretchens dad; people also mistake him for Shannons granddad. Its not an issue to them, and they see it as a laughing matter.
However, while its been the best experience raising a child together, its also come with many challenges. Since Shannon is old enough to have a playgroup, he sometimes brings home viruses that Michaels immune system cannot fight off, as well as Gretchens immune can.
Internet user comments dated 2022 | Source: Daily Mail UK
However, theyve learned to take precautions to keep Michael in good health. In fact, at times, Gretchen feels shes the old lady while Michael is the younger one.
Through it all, Gretchen had one thing to say to those in similar situations: she urged others to follow their gut — that they should go for what they want because life is too short to be unhappy.
Internet user comments dated 2022 | Source: Daily Mail UK
Sometimes, relationships between people with significant age gaps are more successful than regular relationships. Click here to discover the celeb couples who have proven that age is just a number with love.
