A woman whose boyfriend is nearly 40 years older than her says she has accepted he will probably die before her.
Laura Smith, 35, has fancied older men since as a teenager she had a crush on Elvis Presley as well as a married supermarket manager who was 20 years her senior.
When she broke up with the 55-year-old father of her son she soon fell for 74-year-old grandfather Starr Jones after meeting him at an astronomy club.
Now he has moved into her home and Laura says they want to have more children to go with son Pavel, five.
And she has accepted he will “probably die” before her.
Laura said: “"Ever since I was young I fancied older men.
"While my friends liked the latest teenage pop stars, I had a huge crush on Elvis.
"Despite my past, I knew Starr was way too old for me. A grandfather in their mid 70s was taking it too far.
"But at every group meeting, I had butterflies when I saw him. He was nearly 40 years older but we both loved space and hockey. Soon, I felt Starr flirting with me.
"Sadly I do think about Starr dying but I've learned to accept that he'll probably die before me. I've looked for advice on planning death and how to be ready for it.
"For now though, we're enjoying just being together.”
The pair first slept together a month after meeting as they watched a meteor show, with Laura describing the night as “amazing”.
Starr later introduced his partner to his children, who are in their 50s, who welcomed Laura “with open arms”.
Initially nervous about her family's reaction, Laura introduced Starr as a friend at first.
When she admitted he was her boyfriend they “didn’t bat an eyelid” - although strangers have given the couple odd looks in the street.
Laura added: “I thought I was used to it due to my past relationships but it was worse with Starr.
"Whenever we were out together, Starr and I attracted stares and dirty looks. It made me self conscious and I made sure not to kiss or hold his hand in public.
"Gradually I've learnt to ignore it and if anyone thought I was a gold digger, I could tell them they were wrong, as Starr is retired and I'm the breadwinner.
"We want to marry soon too , I don't care what people think about our age gap.
"After all, it's just a number."
