Twenty-seven-year-old Taylor Lehman tied the knot with Kern, 54, last year in an intimate wedding ceremony in Cancun, Mexico, last year that saw them invite only 25 guests. Since that time, Taylor has had to deal with the judgmental stares and statements of people who frowned at their huge age gap but she’s slowly getting used to it.

Other people often compare the couple to Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas who also have a huge age gap. And that comparison takes some of the stings out of what people think about her.

But what may raise more eyebrows is the fact that Kern is actually the dad of Taylor’s best friend Amanda.

According to Taylor: “When we first met, I worked with Kern’s daughter, she was my best friend and he was married at the time. I was also in a relationship. At first, I thought he was very handsome. I have always been attracted to older guys. He thought I was cute, and we started flirting at the bar.

“Amanda and I had been friends for a year before I got with her dad, so I did have a lot of guilt and felt bad at first. But over time I have gotten over that. She knows I will always be there for her in her life and problems.

“Kern is very handsome, and I adore how he carries himself, he’s so educated, smart and successful. Our similarities between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, I think are more apt for me than him.

“They have a similar age gap to us. She is brunette and he has silver hair, like us, but Kern is way better looking than Michael Douglas.”

While Taylor’s family found it hard to accept her relationship with Kern at first, they slowly came around.

“At the beginning, my parents were kind of concerned, my mom was upset that this was my friend’s dad, but they know I’ve always dated older men,” she explained. “But time heals everything though and my mom, dad, and stepmom have visited us and are all fine with it.”

“We found out we had a lot in common, but I don’t think either of us expected we would get married. We thought it would be a rebound thing for us both.

“But, we hit it off, we like the same music and are both old souls. I fell in love with him for his personality, it made him so attractive to me.

“He is fun, outgoing, we both like to party, and he was charming. I appreciate his age, wisdom and also, the security we have as a couple.”

The pair, who both hail from Phoenix, Arizona, don’t have any plans for children but instead want to live up the freedom their lifestyle provides.

Taylor said: “Why would I want to change at that part of his life. Honestly, I love my life, we enjoy the freedom of traveling and having fun together. Every year we spend a week in Mexico, it’s fun but it’s a party. We have a lot of alcohol and fun.

“I am very domesticated, too. Love being home, cooking and housework. We both take pride in our home and hosting.”

Kern, who is a retiree, also said: “Taylor has a great sense of humor, is vivacious and an old soul. She also has a huge heart and is fiercely loyal. Also, she is my best friend and is very easy to talk to about anything.

“I didn’t really have any reservations, and whether Amanda realizes it or not she was largely responsible for our meeting. Neither Taylor nor I really expected it to develop into what it did at the time.

“When it did, my attitude was that I’ve done a lot for my children, but choosing my mate is not within their purview. If it makes you happy and you click, it’s nobody’s business but yours and if people want to be judgmental the hell with them. Leave them in their glass house.”

We’re thinking that Amanda must have also adjusted pretty quickly from calling Taylor “bestie” to “Mom.”