A 23-year-old has revealed that she often finds herself defending her marriage to her husband who is 26 years her senior, as strangers often mistake her for a sugar baby.
Ann Sisk, 23, and dad-of-three Joey, 49, insist it was love at first sight when they locked eyes at a bowling alley in November 2018.
Back then, Ann was working there and served Joey a cup of coffee.
Since their first date, they have been inseparable. Ann has even moved into the electrical engineer’s home in Nashville, US - just three months of dating.
However, they have disclosed that their family, friends and strangers are often left baffled by their relationship, even going as far as accusing Joey of being a 'sugar daddy'.
Speaking about how she feels about this, Ann has admitted that she wants to break the stigma around age gap relationships.
The stay-at-home mum said: “There is a stigma around age gap relationships, people automatically assume the older man is a sugar daddy.
“As a kid, people would joke and advise me to find a rich man to divorce and take all his money.
“This is implemented into everyone’s minds, so it is no surprise that I am accused of being a sugar baby.
“This most definitely isn’t the case; our relationship is very normal, and we are both in it for love.”
Since Ann was only 19-year-old when she met Joey, she said at the time she didn't think a romantic relationship would be possible with him - despite admitting she fell completely ‘head over heels'.
She said: "I was attracted to his looks and personality; I could instantly tell he is a good person.
“I remember thinking Joey must have a very lucky girlfriend or wife at home."
Following their initial conversation while Joey was in Chicago, the two went on to exchange social media usernames and started speaking every day.
She added: “I never thought a relationship would be possible as I was much younger.”
Joey however admitted that he was left 'fighting his feelings' after meeting Ann, as the age gap made him feel ‘physically sick’, given the fact that has two daughters who are now 23 and 29 years old.
He said: “I have two daughters and Ann is between their age, so I won’t lie, the age gap made me sick to my stomach at the start.
“I had strong feelings for Ann from the moment I met her, but they made me very uncomfortable.
“I almost didn’t pursue her, but I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer.”
Now in a long term relationship, the couple have opened up saying they faced backlash from family members - some of whom branded Joey a ‘paedophile’.
The dad added: “It made me majorly mad when I was called a paedophile because I am far from it.
“We decided to ignore the judgement and ride the wave, we had to prove our relationship isn’t going anywhere.”
Ignoring their family's disapproval, the smitten couple eloped and now have a baby called Mason, who is five months old.
And now four years on since their first date, the couple’s family have accepted their relationship and they couldn’t be happier.
Ann, who wants to 'normalise age gap relationships' added that she is : “Not encouraging them.
“They have their downfalls such as backlash and judgements from people you love and strangers.
“Another disadvantage is an earlier death, Joey worries about staying active for our son, the thought of him not being with me is heart-breaking.
“His age reminds us to stay present and be in the moment. I appreciate every day for what it is with Joey.”
