Couple with 35-year age gap hid relationship from family for three years

A loved-up couple who have a 35-year age gap between them, kept their romance a secret for three years because they feared what their families and society would think of them.

22-year-old Cheyenne Baker, from Chicago in the USA, first met her life partner, 58-year-old James Hines, from Iowa, on an online dating site five years ago.

Cheyenne was first attracted to James’ ‘dorkiness’ thanks to his fun pictures on his profile, whereas James was intrigued by her great wit, ability to hold great conversation and petite frame.

The couple, who now live together in Nashville, Tennessee, met in person seven months after their first interaction online and have now been together for five years.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though as they have broken up a few times and decided to keep their relationship a secret for the first three years as after discussing the pros and cons of being together they were unsure if both their families and society would be accepting.

After ‘coming out’ to their families, the pair felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as both parties took the news better than expected, with only Cheyenne’s mother opposing at first.

“My mum was very opposed, but now she loves James dearly,” Cheyenne said.

“I wouldn’t say that all of my family knows about James, not that it’s a secret but I’m not entirely close with everyone because there’s just too many people and I’m not going to make a special announcement to people that I don’t talk to frequently. I’m not going to hide him either.”

For Cheyenne and James, they are just like any other couple who have silly arguments over families, finance and the future but they are not ruling out the prospect of having children in the years to come.

The couple don’t receive many negative comments when they are out in public together but they do sometimes get funny looks.

James has even been high-fived in the street by a stranger who was so impressed.

Cheyenne, however, used to worry about what others thought of them but now neither one of them could care.

“People are mostly polite, no one’s really accosted us about being together. If anything, they’re curious but don’t know how to ask us.

James added that the couple ‘assume they think Cheyenne’s a gold digger and I’m a sex fiend’.

“One time we were having brunch at an outdoor restaurant and a guy walked past us and yelled out to me, ‘you’re my brother from another mother, you got you some fine chocolate’,” James said.

“I have been more comfortable with doing things in public because I get to show her off but Cheyenne’s been more reluctant because she’s been more concerned with what people are saying and thinking about us.”

“We don’t really care anymore. If anyone were to approach us on the street with negative remarks, we’d probably just laugh and walk away.”

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