A 17-YEAR-old who married a 71-year-old pensioner two weeks after meeting her at a funeral has gushed about his wife around their anniversary.
Almeda and Gary Hardwick tied the knot in 2015 and have defied critics to still be happily married eight years down the line.
Tennessee-based Gary met Almeda, who recently turned 80, at the funeral of Almeda’s son.
Their ceremony cost just £137, and they’ve since gained a legion of fans thanks to sharing their age-gap love online.
Gary gushed about his relationship with “baby doll” Almeda in a recent video, saying: “It’s been nearly eight years and I fall more in love everyday.
“Some men search for ages, for the love that I have found. So I will stand my ground.”
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The pair are celebrating their anniversary on October 26 and Gary shared some sweet snaps of them together in tribute.
He added in another video: “Something that I feel is underrated and that we don’t talk about enough is the feeling of waking up each morning next to your soulmate and realising that home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.
Surprisingly Almeda has not been Gary's oldest girlfriend, with him dating a 77-year-old before her.
But she's proven to be his number one – even going as far as to get her name tattooed across his chest.
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Gary said: “Almeda is so young at heart that age never bothers us, we never really think about it. I just know that God answered my prayers that day she walked into my life.”
In 2021 the pair told followers they both battled coronavirus.
But they seemed to be having lots of fun during lockdown snogging and serenading each other for their fans.
Referring to Almeda as his ‘baby doll’ Gary described her as the most amazing wife in the world.
In an Instagram post he said: “Happy birthday to the most amazing wife in the world. Today is not only your day, but most importantly, today is about celebrating the birth of such a wonderful & true woman with such a heart of gold.
“I’m the luckiest husband for everyday that I get to wake up beside you. You make me the happiest man each and every day and I want to always make you the happiest woman.
“You deserve the world and until my last breath I’ll work hard to give you that. All of my happiest moments are moments I share with you. I hope you have the best birthday ever today and I hope you enjoy all of your surprises my love.
“You’re truly the love of my lifetime and I love you with every beat of my heart. Here’s to celebrating my queen. Happy Birthday baby doll.”
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Gary also revealed he even prepared a romantic dinner for his wife.
He said: “Wine infused salmon supper, really good wine, birthday cake, and surprises for my baby doll.”
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