Woman Celebrates Wedding Anniversary With Son's Best Friend

A couple are celebrating their 12 year anniversary - and it's fair to say they met in rather unique circumstances.

Yep, 60-year-old Marilyn Buttigieg and William Smith, 31, met when Marilyn's son brought him over after school in June 2006 - and now they're an item.

As Marilyn's son's best friend, William would regularly be in their house playing video games.

And while things were strictly platonic at first, they say they 'naturally gravitated towards each other' and after a lot of convincing on William's part, started a relationship.

Things went from strength to strength after that, and they were married in April 2009.

But they say it hasn't been an easy road, and many people are divided when it comes to their connection.

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After first meeting, William started helping Marilyn around the house as she was suffering from ME - a long term illness causing extreme tiredness and muscle pain among other symptoms.

Before long their friendship grew into something romantic, but they were both hesitant - after already being mocked by their family before they were even a couple.

"I didn't want to take away William's life," mum-of-seven Marilyn said.

"I didn't want to have any more kids, but I didn't want to stop William having a family if he wanted.

"My family had also already judged us for being friends and thought we were something more before we were - just because William helped me out.

"I think that made us gravitate towards each other to be honest."

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"It took a lot of convincing," film producer, William said.

"She quizzed me to make sure I was sure this was what I wanted.

"I was 100% sure it was."

But after a long chat they decided to give it a go and moved in together quickly.

Marilyn, who owns a cleaning business, from Crawley, West Sussex, says all but one of her children 'disowned her', meanwhile, William has also since lost touch with his family.

But the couple stuck by each other and fell head over heels in love.

Now, despite losing most of their friends and family, the couple say they 'would do it all again' and are still very happily loved up.

Marilyn said: "William and I are still so in love.

"We're never apart and if we are we miss each other so much. He's my soulmate.

"We've stayed true to ourselves and our feelings and that is what matters."

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William said: "I knew we had something special. She was and still is my dream woman."

Discussing their age gap, William said that many people didn't understand.

"We've struggled a lot with hate over the years," he added. "People hurl us abuse and it's affected my jobs in the past, but it is getting better now."

Marilyn concurred: "I've been called a paedo more times than I could remember. We've been to hell and back and even now we get nails in our tyres.

"People just can't just leave us alone."

Despite the abuse the couple have stayed strong and say they're now in a place where they don't worry about what anyone thinks.

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"I tell William to kiss me in the streets because why should anyone care?" Marilyn said.

"I'm proud of him and our relationship - let them stare if they want to."

The couple are now hoping to make a film about their story.

"We want to tell our story our way," William said. "And to change the judgement surrounding an age gap relationship."

Marilyn said: "I think people's perceptions still need to change.I couldn't imagine anyone else loving me more than William does.

"I trust him with everything."

Topics: Life, Real Life, Sex and Relationships

Joanna Freedman

Joanna has worked at Tyla for the last two years, and has a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman