Stories of such dramatic age gaps are usually saved for Hollywood celebrities.

However, this 23-year-old woman from Cebu, Philippines is defending critiques against her very own scandalous love story.

Lorie recently married 71-year-old Thomas Grieg, from Wallasey, after meeting on Facebook in 2014. Thomas immediately fell for Lorie. Though the young woman was initially skeptical due to the large age difference.

 

After getting to know his personality however, Lorie was convinced that they were meant for each other.

Their first date was in 2014, when Thomas flew to the Philippines for Lorie’s birthday. In the moment they met, all of Lorie’s remaining doubts were gone and she quickly fell in love with Thomas too.

 

After a few months of dating, Lorie and Thomas married in January 2015 at a quiet, intimate ceremony.

 

A year later, the couple even welcomed a newborn baby girl named Mary.

 

Thomas now travels to Philippines yearly and stays for around five months at a time. While it’s difficult being away from each other, the couple makes it work.

Initially, their families remained skeptical about the marriage, however Lorie managed to convince them of her happiness and the couple’s genuine love for each other.

 

She now has to defend their marriage to the world.

 

Internet trolls have condemned the relationship, going so far as calling Lorie a ‘mail-order-bride’ – implying that Thomas “bought” himself a young bride.

 

Lorie replies by saying that the happiness of her and her family is all that matters. “Our relationship hasn’t been easy so far, there have been ups and downs, but we both reassure each other, and we are happily married”, says the blushing bride.