IN September 2008, Ashley Miller was just finishing up work when a friend asked if she wanted to grab a drink.
The mum – who was 21 at the time – was in two minds about heading to the local dive bar her pal suggested – but was convinced by the prospect of meeting the "hot guy" who worked there.
"Jim caught my eye as soon as I met him," Ashley said.
But because her future husband was 16 years older than her, the waitress, from St Louis, wasn't sure if anything romantic could ever happen between them.
She added: "We stayed friends for a while."
A year after their first meeting, Jim plucked up the courage to ask Ashley out on a date – and the pair have "barely spent a day apart" ever since.
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Ashley said: "My parents were really happy for me and didn't care about the age gap as I dated some bad guys in the past and they could see Jim was a genuine nice man who would treat their daughter right."
"We couldn't deny we were attracted to each other as soon as we met. We just laugh together every day.
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"We're on the same level of maturity so it works perfectly."
Although the couple – who now have two children together – know they're perfect for each other, that hasn't stopped other people commenting on their age gap over the course of their 13-year relationship.
The mum-of-two continued: "It was a bit weird when people thought Jim was my dad, but I have always looked younger.
"Jim is a great dad, and he is very hands on.
"He's healthy and we joke that I'll be the one to go first not him as I have already had more health problems. I'm the stricter one and he is more fun.
"When were out and about with our family people will say 'is that their grandad?' or I still get 'is he your dad?'
"But we laugh it off and hopefully as we both get older the age difference won't seem as significant.
"People are normally very embarrassed when they found out he is my husband and the children's father.
"Age is just a number and we've proved our love can last."
Jim – who now works as a tree surgeon – said: "I thought Ashley was beautiful from the first time I saw her. I think she's even more beautiful now honestly.
"Our relationship has been challenging but rewarding, especially after we had children.
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"I don't mind or at least I'm offended when people mistake me for her Dad or our kids grandpa. Neither happens that often.
"My family, meaning Ashley and the kids are my everything."
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