A couple with a 35-year age gap have revealed how they kept their relationship a secret for three years - and even broke up several times - over fears their families wouldn't accept them.
Cheyenne Baker, 22, from Nashville, Tennessee, first met her partner James Hines, 58, on a dating site five years ago when she was just 17.
Cheyenne, who works in public relations, says she was first drawn to James because of his 'dorkiness', while James was intrigued by Cheyenne's wit and great conversation.
The pair spoke online for more than seven months before finally meeting up - but quickly decided to keep their relationship secret because they were worried about how their huge age difference would be viewed by others.
Despite their fears over how people would react, both families took the news well, and even Cheyenne's mother who initially wasn't happy, has now accepted their relationship.
Cheyenne said: 'We discussed the pros and cons of the age gap but it's never been a problem, per se.
'We've actually broken up a few times because we thought that it just wasn't possible to have the dream outcome with our families and society accepting and all of that.
'That's part of why we kept the relationship a secret for nearly three years. My mother was very opposed, but now she loves James dearly.
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.'
James, who is a United States Marine Corps purple heart veteran and retired government employee, added that they eventually had to tell their families or the relationship would have been over.
He said: 'When we told our closest family members there was a huge sense of relief because we expected the worst and it went better than expected.
We reached a point where we had to be honest with our families or our relationship would have ended. If we didn't tell our families it would have been a fake relationship and it was taking an emotional toll on the both of us, so we decided to be free.'
Although the age gap is clear to see, the pair says they haven't had many negative comments - and James has even been high-fived in the street over the relationship.
'People are mostly polite, no one's really accosted us about being together,' James revealed. 'If anything, they're curious but don't know how to ask us.
'We assume they think Cheyenne's a gold digger and I'm a sex fiend. Most people don't say anything in public out of politeness, maybe.
'When people, who aren't just random strangers first meet us, they either comment on the interracial aspect or the generational aspect, it's never really both.
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".
'Sometimes I gets a nod of approval or a smirk, one time I got a high five while we were walking down the street.
'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.'
Now the couple are happier than ever, and aren't ruling out having children in the years to come.
Nashville couple with 35-year age gap reveal they kept their relationship secret for THREE YEARS | Daily Mail Online
They're really trying to normalize this Elderly White man/ Teenage black girl shyt.
she’s a wench, no mention of a father in her life and she ain’t cute. 
She followed that up by getting into a relationship with a 51 year old caucasian for 3 years until he had to check back into rehab for drug use, but only after she fukked the 19 year old he was letting crash at his spot. 
Shes finally realized her dream 
and is with a 48 year old, white, single father ex-con who just seeded her up with twins that will likely have good hair and green eyes. 
.
