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Samantha Crosby (24), from Spokane in the US, met
60-year-old Maxie Mills while he was performing at a local bar.
“When I saw him playing the guitar I knew I wanted to approach him at the end,” says Samantha. “It was love at first sight.
“He was very good looking and I loved hearing him play the guitar.”
When the cosmetology student and aspiring hairstylist first set eyes on the father of two she felt an instant connection and was intrigued by his musical talent.
Although the age gap felt strange for the couple at first, they quickly discovered that it made their relationship even more unique.
Despite facing harsh criticism from her friends and family, the young woman stuck by her man because they have plenty of things in common, including their love for outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking.
“His age freaked me out a little in the beginning, especially when I found out that his kids are 35 and 40.
“My friends used to laugh at me and tell me that I was dating a grandpa. My mom was really uncomfortable with it at first, but now everyone is used to him.
“It hurt my feelings a lot. In my opinion he’s the best out of everyone I’ve dated, but I couldn’t show anyone that because they were all focusing on his age.
“He’s stable both financially and emotionally and he treats me well.
“Once we started talking I realised that he liked all the same outdoorsy things that I do and he even makes his own kayaks out of wood,” she says.
Maxie, who’s been divorced three times, says he was drawn to how nice Samantha is. He adds that he was discouraged by her age and didn’t think about her in a romantic light at first.
“She was so nice to me. I didn’t even think of her in a romantic sense at first. I just saw her as someone who was really kind,” says Maxie.
“The age difference scared the hell out of me, but I couldn’t just throw away an opportunity to be with someone this great.”
While Samantha makes him incredibly happy, Maxie has avoided introducing her to most of his friends because he's afraid of being judged.
“She’s not meshed with all of my friends yet. I’m hopeful that time will make that easier.
“I don’t have this 100% figured out yet, but the lack of pressure from her certainly helps,” he says.
“She is 24 and acts it. I’m 60 and act it. We allow each other to act our own age,” Maxie added.
While Samantha has enjoyed the past six months of dating, she does worry about getting married and starting a family, as Maxie doesn’t share the same plans.
“I worry about it sometimes. Part of me is okay with it, but part of me isn’t,” she says.
Source: Magazine Features
