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A couple with a 19-year age gap have shared the abuse they get for sharing their relationship online. <\/p>\n
Model Michael Justin, 46, and nurse Emily Downing, 27, from LA, hit it off after meeting at a yoga class in Arizona in 2019.<\/p>\n
Because of the age gap, they both had reservations about a relationship, and then Michael moved to LA to further his modelling career while Emily continued to study nursing in Arizona.<\/p>\n
When the pandemic hit, they realised they couldn\u2019t stand being apart and moved in together back in Arizona, which is when Michael decided to go public about his relationship with Emily \u2013 something he\u2019d never done before.<\/p>\n
There was an immediate backlash on Michael\u2019s social media from followers and Emily found herself being harassed, abused, and even had strangers ringing her number, trying to convince her Michael was cheating on her.<\/p>\n
But when Michael started TikTok, the couple amassed followers who are largely positive about their relationship and even ask for dating tips.<\/p>\n
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Emily explained: \u2018I actually used to get really scary direct messages online.<\/p>\n
\u2018And they got my phone number at one point and these mega fans of Michael would be saying these terrible things to me.<\/p>\n
\u2018We could tell they were trying to make me believe that Michael had cheated on me and trying to break up our relationship.<\/p>\n
\u2018So I thought, \u201cYou know what, let\u2019s just end this hate for once and for all\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u2018We should just embrace it and say, we\u2019re a couple and just really show people that we\u2019re together.\u2019<\/p>\n
Their first TikTok as a couple was a huge hit and got three million views \u2013 an incredible feat in 2020 when the app was just taking off globally.<\/p>\n
Since then, says Emily, Michael has fewer stalkers. But it has come at a price, as Michael has also lost many other loyal followers as a result of being in a relationship. <\/p>\n
\u2018When I first started posting anything on Instagram about Emily, I think I lost about 8,000 followers the first week,\u2019 said Michael.<\/p>\n
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There is still the occasional bit of weirdness on social media; recently TikTok users claimed Michael had kidnapped Emily after they were seen at a coffee shop, with Michael wearing a hoody. <\/p>\n
Michael and Emily think the rumour is so ridiculous that they\u2019ve been having fun creating tongue-in-cheek videos mocking it.<\/p>\n
\u2018They say, \u201cif you\u2019re wearing green on the next video you were kidnapped\u201d and so I was gonna put her in green and literally talk about our wedding,\u2019 said Michael.<\/p>\n
\u2018Clearly I wouldn\u2019t be talking about my wedding and marrying this man if he kidnapped me,\u2019 said Emily.<\/p>\n
There are also some people who still actively target Emily, either saying she has daddy issues or claiming she looks really old.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve gotten a lot of comments that say, I look older than Michael,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
\u2018They were like, \u201cOh, this girl has terrible skin. She needs to put sunscreen on. She looks like she\u2019s 60\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u2018We don\u2019t let the negative comments get to us. Those people are clearly sad and mad people and that\u2019s their problem.\u2019<\/p>\n
Emily said the nicest part about TikTok is building a friendly community and giving advice to people who themselves face judgement from family or friends over an age-gap relationship.<\/p>\n
\u2018I always tell people, when you\u2019re doing something that makes you happy, that\u2019s really all that matters.<\/p>\n
\u2018You can\u2019t can\u2019t concern yourself too much with everyone\u2019s opinions.\u2019<\/p>\n
Now the couple are looking forward to their wedding in November and want to start a family.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve kind of always known I wanted to be a mom; I feel like I was born with that maternal energy,\u2019 said Emily.<\/p>\n
\u2018That was one of the reservations in the beginning of our relationship. I figured, oh, he\u2019s an older bachelor, he probably doesn\u2019t want kids.<\/p>\n
\u2018When it came time to talk about engagement and wedding, he said to me, \u201cyou are the only girl I\u2019ve ever pictured myself being able to have children with\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n