I started dating my man when I was 20 & he was 46 – trolls say we look like dad & daughter but we’ve proved them wrong

A COUPLE with a 26 year age gap have proved their doubters wrong with a wholesome video.

Ben and Allison Hornsby, now 72 and 46, first met in 1998 while Ben was a postman delivering the mail to the pawn shop the young woman worked at.

Instagram/starrynight1951

Instagram/starrynight1951

The loved-up duo, who met just a few years Allison had finished high school, have been married for over two decades and have given birth to triplets and twins.

Despite being brutally mocked as a ”father and daughter” on Instagram, Allison has previously said their marriage and bond is strong and that her senior partner treats her ”like a queen”, Metro reported.

The adorable pair tied the knot in 2002 and have been going strong for more than 20 years – although they admitted that being parents to five kids of similar ages has not been an easy ride.

”When they were babies we lived on Ben’s mail route. He would come home for lunch and change diapers,” Allison said, adding that the challenge has been ”rewarding”.

Ben made the decision to retire when the triplets were seven and the twins were four, which has allowed him to be there as a father.

‘‘This has helped me not feel overwhelmed when taking care of triplets and twins.

‘’I think it’s been emotionally healthy for our children to get to spend quality time with their father. I would recommend this to others if it’s possible.”

The loved-up couple also reckon that the age difference – which seems ”very natural” to the kids – has also given ”a unique influence of two different generations”.

Meanwhile, their very own upbringings were very different, with Ben spending a lot of time travelling as his father was in the Navy and Allison’s interests veering more towards creativity.

Despite the gap in their age, Allison and Ben’s families and friends have all been supportive of their relationship – however, it’s been a different story at school.

According to Allison, there have been a few instances where their children’s peers at school asked if Ben was their grandfather and a couple of teachers also wrongly assumed he was their grandad.

‘‘I notice on occasion women are judgemental or sometimes rude towards me,” went on Allison who admitted that there have also been cruel messages and comments on their social media page.

One such recent video has, unfortunately, not been any different, after Allison and Ben shared a series of loved-up snaps throughout the years.

The adorable images included a photo where the mum-of-five was 20 hugging Ben who was 46 at the time, as well as a photo from their wedding, just to name a few.

The reel soon racked up hundreds of harsh and negative comments, as vicious online trolls flocked to share their thoughts.

One person said: ”I thought this was a daughter and father until the wedding pictures.”

Another had the same guess, writing: ”Was REALLY hoping this was a father/daughter deal.”

”I’m 24…. you know who’s 50 in my life right now…….. my dad,” someone else remarked.

However, luckily for the duo, there’s also been heaps of support not just from their families and loved ones but also kind Instagram users.

One supportive person said: ”They’re happily married and ya’ll are lonely.”

Someone else agreed, adding: ”Stayed married longer than all yalls parents and you combined, and people yelling hate on them.”

Allison explained that they wanted to share their love on social media ”because we know what we share is beautiful and unique”.

‘’We want to be an example of a strong marriage for others.’’