Yahoo Lifestyle 
Couple mistaken for father and daughter get bombarded with hate
An engaged couple with a 19-year age gap are hitting back at strangers who verbally abuse them in the street.
Stephanie Jarvis, 24, and Andrew Bird, 43, have been in a relationship for four years ago but repeatedly get mistaken for father and daughter, rather than future husband and wife.
"When we're out in public together, holding hands, we get called all sorts,” Stephanie says.
"Andrew has been called a cradle snatcher, and a child fiddler, and I often get called a gold digger.
"We just try and shake it off because it tends to be more awkward for the person who is saying those things, especially when they see we're not bothered.”
Despite this, the pair have the full support of their families and insist their relationship is no different to any other.
"Having the support of my parents, and even Andrew's children, is the most important thing,” she says, “If our loved ones aren't bothered, then why should anyone else be?"
Andrew, a coach driver in Scotland, initially met Stephanie when she was 20-years-old and working in a café he often visited in between shifts.
After their romance blossomed, Stephanie moved to his home in the coastal city of Inverness.
"One month after we had met, and I had closed the door on my previous unhappy relationship, Andrew asked me if I would run away with him to his home town," Stephanie explains.
"I packed up my stuff and went to be with him, because I didn't want to be without him.
"I left behind my mother, father and brother – but I called my mum to let her know about Andrew, I just said 'but I'm nervous to tell you- he's older than me!'
"My mother and I were a bit dubious at first because I was only 20 at the time, but then everyone started to notice how well he was treating me, and how happy I was – and that's all that mattered.”
Andrew’s three kids have started calling Stephanie 'Mumma J', but she still gets confused for another one of his offspring.
"The most poignant memory that I have of us being mistaken for father and daughter was when we went to a fair ground,” she recalls.
"I took his children on one of the rides and Andrew was holding the bags, and I ride attendant asked if 'daddy is paying?'
"I simply replied, 'no, but my fiancé is,' and the attendant just went completely bright red – he was more embarrassed than us.
"We also get the horrible comments and dirty looks, but we're not bothered. We're happy and that's all that matters – it's no one else's business!"
- With reporting by Caters News
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