“People think he’s my grandfather” David traveled to the Philippines at 63, met 20-year-old Jackie on a dating site, and two years later they got married; they’re 42 years…

Jackie never checked David’s profile before their first date. When she walked into a café in the Philippines in 2016, she had no idea what the man she was meeting looked like. The two had connected through an international dating website, and Jackie decided to meet him without having seen a photograph or forming any expectations beforehand.

When she finally saw him, she was surprised to find herself sitting across from an American man from Oakland, California, who was more than twice her age. The age difference was immediately noticeable, but Jackie says it was his personality that mattered more to her.

Rather than focusing on his age, she remembers being impressed by the way he treated her. She later described him as a gentleman who was kind and respectful toward her.

The pair continued meeting and getting to know each other through several dates. Eventually, David returned to the United States, leaving Jackie in the Philippines. But their connection continued even after the distance separated them.

Only three months later, David made another long journey back to the Philippines. This time, he wanted to spend more time with Jackie and see where their relationship could lead.

Their relationship continued to grow, eventually leading to marriage in 2018. After getting married, the couple moved to the United States and began building a life together.

For Jackie, their wedding day remains one of her most meaningful memories. Her family could not travel to the United States to attend the ceremony, meaning some of the people closest to her were unable to share the moment in person.

Their relationship has since attracted considerable attention because of their 42-year age difference. David is 70, while Jackie is 28, and the couple openly shares aspects of their life together on TikTok.

With that public presence, however, has come plenty of criticism. Some online commenters compare David to Jackie’s grandfather, while others question her motives and suggest that money must be the reason for their relationship.

The couple says those comments do not define their relationship. Jackie has repeatedly explained that what matters to her is the way David treats her and the connection they share.

David has also acknowledged that the age difference initially made him wonder how other people would react. He was particularly aware that he was older than Jackie’s parents, which made the situation feel unusual even to him.

Over time, however, the couple says they became more comfortable ignoring outside opinions. Instead of allowing strangers on the internet to determine how they should feel about each other, they focus on the life they have built together.

Their story has sparked mixed reactions online, but the couple continues to maintain that their relationship is based on genuine affection and companionship. For them, the opinions of strangers matter less than the understanding they have developed between themselves.

Their experience is a reminder that relationships can take many different forms. While a large age gap can bring unique challenges and attract public attention, the couple believes that mutual respect, communication, trust, and genuine affection are more important than a number.

For Jackie and David, their message remains simple: age may be a number, but the way two people treat and support each other is what truly shapes a relationship.