A Turkish teenager dating a British grandmother said “age doesn’t matter” because he sees a long “future” with her.
Sefkan Güzel, 19, is madly in love with his Scottish girlfriend Rachel McIntrye, 35, after the couple met during their two-month holiday in their native Marmaris, Turkey.
While some may balk at their love story, and the 16-year age difference, the hotel waiter said their relationship is far from just a vacation romance.
Sefan told MailOnline: “I don’t care about her age, I love her so much and she’s so beautiful, and that’s all that matters to me.”
‘I didn’t know he was older until he told me his age. I was shocked.
‘We love each other very much and I see a future together. It’s very difficult not to see her every day and have her with me every day, but we always talk.
“All my friends and family really like it and they’re all happy for me.”
Sefkan Güzel, 19, has exclusively told MailOnline that his relationship with Rachel McIntyre, 35, from Edinburgh, is “solid” (the couple pictured together)
Rachel met him during a two-month vacation in Marmaris, Türkiye, in June.
Rachel said she noticed him “immediately” because of his good looks, but “backed off” when she found out how old he was.
Rachel’s 19-year-old Bethany has her own daughter and was initially “scared” by her mother’s new romance.
Sefkan, who is Kurdish, met Rachel while working as a waiter at the hotel they were staying at.
Rachel said she noticed him “immediately” because of his good looks, but “backed away” when she found out how old he was.
Rachel also said she was hesitant because a Turkish waiter she dated in September 2023 was “clearly looking for a visa.”
She was also not sure of Seskan’s age, since, at 19, she is in the same school year as her daughter.
However, young Lothario’s ‘persistent’ flirtation finally convinced her and the two gradually fell in love.
The mum-of-one from Edinburgh described her toyboy as “kind, intelligent, gentle, funny and a wonderful lover”.
But not everyone was immediately impressed,
Rachel’s teenage daughter Bethany is the same age as her boyfriend and had serious reservations about her mother’s new love.
She told MailOnline: ‘At first Bethany was a bit scared by the whole situation and said it couldn’t happen.
“But after a very short period of time she came and just wants me to be happy, and she also gets along well with Sefkan.”
Sefan said he loves his new family even if it takes him a while to get used to his role as ‘stepfather’.
He said: “It’s so funny that I’m a stepdad at my age, I didn’t think that would happen but it’s nice and I love Bethany and the baby too.” “We are all very well and happy.”
After Rachel returned to the UK in August, the couple strengthened their relationship by video calling regularly.
In September, Rachel returned to Türkiye with her 11-year-old daughter Erika, whom she took out of school – which “doesn’t get fined” in Scotland – to go on holiday.
The couple spent their time together taking long bike rides and walks, which helped strengthen their relationship; However, Rachel has already informed him that she does not want to have more children.
Sefkan said it was her youthful appearance that attracted him to her, adding: “I kept looking at her, this beautiful woman, I liked her as soon as I saw her and now we are so strong together.” When we are together we always have fun and I like that. It makes us stronger.
Rachel said she was hesitant to get into a relationship with Sefkan as things with a Turkish waiter she dated in September 2023 ended on a sour note.
She went on to say, “But Sefkan is different: he is kind, intelligent, gentle, funny and a wonderful lover.”
‘He never asks me for money and usually pays when we go out. “It’s a controversial situation, but it has made me happier than I could have ever imagined.”
Rachel said she ‘stepped back’ when she found out Seskan’s age as her daughter Beth is the same age.
Rachel claims that she and Bethany look so alike that they are often mistaken for twins.
Rachel welcomed her first grandchild (pictured together) in late July 2023.
Rachel and Seskan are also planning a trip together to Thailand in December
Bethany is actually in Türkiye right now to see her boyfriend and is staying at Sefkan’s hotel.
‘I had never dated someone so young before, my previous partners had been with me for years or a little more. But age is just a number and the only thing that matters is that you are happy.
Rachel also revealed to us that since she went public with her toyboy status, she received a message from a local 19-year-old asking to be her boyfriend.
However, she says that she is not interested in anyone else and that Sefkan is the one for her.
Rachel said she is going to see Sefkan next month and their dream is to move abroad together, but not to Scotland.