A mum has defended her 13-year age gap relationship, after critics branded her partner a “predator” and accused him of grooming her.
Naya, 25, and her partner Zac, 38, have been together for almost five years and share a two-year-old son, Zion.
But despite their bliss, the couple say they regularly receive hateful, prejudiced messages online.
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“When people call Zac a predator, it’s honestly weird and ignorant,” stay-at-home mum Naya told Need To Know.
“A lot of people project their own issues and don’t actually know what they’re talking about.
“They don’t know us outside of what we choose to show online, and eight-second videos aren’t enough to understand who we are or how my husband treats me.
“He treats me the way a woman deserves to be treated – with respect.
“I never have to question him or our relationship.”
Zac, a route sales driver, added: “It’s annoying, but people can say whatever they want.
“They don’t know anything about me beyond some basic information we’ve shared online.
“They don’t know my character or my principles.
“It’s easy for people to say horrible and untrue things online when it’s anonymous and there are no real-world repercussions.”
The couple, who are based in Texas, US, say their toddler son has even been subject to racist abuse fro the trolls.
Naya said: “It’s extremely disgusting.
“These people would never say those things to our faces.
“They throw rocks and hide their hands like cowards.
“Talking about a child that way is completely out of line.”
Despite the abuse, Naya says the reality of her relationship couldn’t be further from the accusations.
She explained: “The best part of the relationship is the stability Zac brings and the way he consistently prioritises his family.
“The age gap hasn’t been an issue for Zac.
“He enjoys being introduced to new things through me, including music, movies, television, and food.
“He believes most women want to be treated with respect, care, honesty, and to feel valued.
“What makes me different, in his view, is that he has fully committed to those values in their relationship and is intentional about always being honest and truthful with me.”
Zac added: “Being with someone younger, you’re introduced to a whole new world of things – food, music, movies, pop culture, and a different perspective on life.
“It keeps things fresh and exciting.
“Plus, when I’m old and grey, Naya will still be a total 10.”
The couple first met six years ago while working at the same grocery store.
At the time, Naya was an in-store shopper and Zac was a seafood manager.
Although they crossed paths regularly, their connection didn’t immediately turn romantic.
When they met, Naya was 19 and Zac was 32 — but the pair say they didn’t begin talking romantically until a year later.
Naya said: “At the time, I regularly wore a mask, and Zac didn’t know what I looked like until after he asked me out.
“He believed I was older than I was.
“On our first date, Zac took me to a seafood restaurant and later drove me more than an hour home after her car developed a flat tyre.
“We moved in together three weeks later.”
Naya admitted that she once found the idea of dating an older man uncomfortable, but said Zac’s directness and maturity quickly set him apart.
She said: “This is my first and only relationship.
“Prior to Zac, I had only experienced being at the talking stage – those relationships never developed into real emotional connections and ultimately felt like a waste of time.
“I previously found the idea of dating older men uncomfortable until I gave one a chance.
“Zac was straightforward about what he wanted, and that was me.
“His maturity and ability to communicate clearly stood out to me.
“He was a grown man who knew what he wanted, and the age gap itself has never been a defining factor in out relationship.
“Zac even got my name tattooed as a declaration of his love.
“He knows how to treat me, like a queen.
“He prioritises us and our family, and I always feel secure and loved.”
Naya’s family initially expressed concern when she revealed Zac was 13 years older.
She said: “My family was initially unsupportive.
“My mother and sister felt uncomfortable with the age difference and believed Zac might take advantage of me.
“Once they met him, those thoughts went away. They absolutely love him.
“Rumours also spread outside of the family, with others making negative assumptions about the relationship.
“My friends, however, were supportive and accepted Zac right away.”
Zac added: “I was definitely a little nervous when I met Naya’s family because I fully understood their scepticism and concerns.
“I’d feel the same way in their position. Winning everyone over took time.
“Once they saw my intentions with Naya were genuine and made out of love, everything was good.”
