Sometimes relationships come to an end - it's just an unfortunate part of life. But how would you feel if your partner left you for someone younger, and told you in a note?
Ann Johnson, 53, admitted she left her husband of 24 years after falling for a man 18 years her junior.
She met Paul Johnson, 35, online, and felt like her marriage was souring, so became pals with him - but Ann soon realised that the feelings ran deeper.
Ann, from Essex, described her relationship with her former husband as more like "flatmates", saying they'd "fallen out of love", but she was gutted her grown-up sons decided to not attend the marriage of her and her younger man, three years after the divorce of their dad.
Retail assistant Ann explained: "When I met Paul, I felt a new lease of life.
"Initially I was hesitant because of the age gap, but then realised, we had so much in common it didn't matter.
"I hoped my sons would accept our relationship if they saw me happy, but sadly they didn't and didn't attend our wedding."
In October 2012, after her sons had left home to study at university, Ann stumbled across a website for rock music lovers, and it was there that she bonded with Paul, a delivery driver.
Whilst chatting, she discovered Paul was 30, and had a two-year-old daughter - but he was also in a longterm relationship.
But six months later, whilst the pair were firm friends, Paul revealed he'd broken up with his girlfriend, and they wasted no time and met up at a pub for a drink.
The pair hit it off and agreed to meet up again, going to the park for a walk.
Ann said: "As Paul hugged me hello, I felt butterflies. At that moment, I knew my marriage was over. I hadn't felt that way in years. But I worried Paul wouldn't feel the same. After all, I was nearly two decades older."
But when Paul shared that he liked her as more than friends, Ann said she felt the same.
Six months later, in March 2014, Ann left her husband whilst he was at work.
Ann shared: "I couldn't face telling him in person, so left him a note that read 'We haven't been happy in a long time, I'm sorry, I'm leaving you'."
Ann then moved in with Paul and called her sons to break the news - and they were devastated. Shortly after, Paul introduced Ann to his mum, who was nine years her senior.
Ann said: "At first she was a little unsure of my intentions and was protective over Paul. After all, I was still a married woman, but within weeks she realised our love was genuine and welcomed me into the family."
A few months later, Ann's eldest son, now 31, met the couple in a pub and gave his blessing, but her youngest, now 28, refused to meet Paul and stopped taking Ann's calls.
Then in December 2015, Ann and Paul got engaged and sent out invitations to friends and family - but neither of her sons RSVP'd, or attended.
But Ann shared that she's "happier than ever", saying Paul makes her "feel alive and young again."
"In the end, love is love, and an age gap shouldn't matter", Ann said.
Do you have an unusual love story to share? Email danielle.wroe@reachplc.com
