A woman says she has fallen head over heels for a man 24 years her senior and vows to “stand by him” despite attacks from her family and online trolls.
Realyn Solero, 29, from the Philippines, said she viewed Reynaldo Maquinay Jr, 53, as a “father figure” and found him “annoying” after the two initially met while working for the same company.
Realyn, a virtual assistant, said she repeatedly rejected Reynaldo’s attempts at romance because she “didn’t like him” but his persistence soon made the mother-of-one “fall in love” with the machine technician.
The couple sealed their love in holy matrimony two years ago, but despite being together for nine years, they say family members and strangers have yet to get over the age gap and have accused Realyn of being after their wealth.
‘At first he was persistent in showing his feelings, which angry Me, said Realyn.
Realyn Solero, 29, says she fell madly in love with Reynaldo Maquinay Jr, 53 (pictured: the couple at Realyn’s graduation)
Realyn and Reynaldo Maquinay Jr, both from the Philippines, have been together for nine years.
‘However, he continued to show a care that I had not experienced in my past relationships (and) as the months passed I realized that I had fallen in love. with him’.
Realyn says her new partner provided her with the kind of attention, kindness and concern she had never experienced before, and before she knew it, she and Reynaldo were obsessed with each other.
Although her family accused her of being a gold digger, Realyn claims that there is, in fact, no gold to be mined.
“Unnecessary comments were made due to the fact that she already had a child,” Realyn explained.
‘My friends and family thought I wasn’t serious about the relationship and would dump him as soon as I got what I wanted from him, which for them was money.
“What they didn’t know was that he had no savings, no business, nothing. He was just a simple employee of the company.
“In the end I managed to make them realize that they were wrong about me and him. He is a good and responsible man.”
She also revealed that her 11-year-old daughter, Rhianna Jane Solero, from a previous relationship, adores Reynaldo.
The mother of one said she initially saw Reynaldo as a “father figure” and found him “annoying”.
She also revealed that her 11-year-old daughter, Rhianna Jane Solero, from a previous relationship, adores Reynaldo. (Pictured: Realyn, Reynaldo and Realyn’s daughter Rhianna when she was younger)
He added: ‘He guides me on the right path and, above all, he has been a good and responsible stepfather to my son.
‘He treats my daughter like she’s his own and that makes me fall in love with him even more.’
As if judgment from friends and family wasn’t enough, the couple has had to battle negative comments from strangers and trolls online.
Still, Realyn remains steadfast, insisting he doesn’t owe anyone “an explanation.”
“At first it was very hard for me because most of the time I was the one receiving criticism,” she said.
‘I’m the one being judged and a lot of people think I’m after his money and his benefits. But I know the truth, I know I love him, so I got used to the comments and learned to ignore them.
The couple met while working at the same company and sealed their love in holy matrimony two years ago (The couple is pictured during the early stages of their romance)
Realyn revealed that the two “often argue when selecting designs, colors, movies to watch and places to travel.”
“Now, if I read or hear unnecessary comments about me or our relationship, I just smile or ignore them.”
Criticism of their romance is just one of the challenges the couple faces. The nearly three-decade age gap has also caused chaos in their personal lives.
“Because we’re 24 years apart, her tastes are totally different from mine,” Realyn explained. “Hobbies, movies, fashion, everything!” she continued.
“We often argue about choosing designs, colours, films to watch and places to travel to, but little by little we have learned to adapt.”
Now the mother of one says that being with an older man is the best that this happened to him and he couldn’t be happier.
She said: “I have learned a lot from him. He is not only a husband to me but also a father who always reminds me what is right and what is wrong.
“He is very understanding and never gets angry.”
Realyn said family and outsiders have yet to accept the age difference and have accused Realyn of being after her man’s wealth (Pictured: a video of Realyn and Reynaldo having fun together)
She concluded with some advice for women thinking of following in her footsteps.
Her words to other women in a similar situation are: “Stand by your man” and ignore what others think.
She added: ‘Don’t worry about what other people think of you or your relationship.
-You don’t owe them any explanation and what matters is only you and your partner.
“As long as you love each other, age is not an issue. Just focus on your goal and your family and let them realize that they are wrong in what they think of you or your relationship.”