29 April 2023 , 06:12
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A couple with a 19-year age gap claim strangers have sometimes mistakenly believed they are father and daughter.
Rich Foetu Tomkinson, 48, met Evie, 29, at a pub he was working at in July 2018 and married four years later with the support of both their families.
Although the age gap has never bothered them, it has sometimes caused confusion with members of the public who do not realise they are man and wife.
Even though some people are judgemental, Rich and Evie enjoy their life together and regularly share videos and photos about their life on social media.
Three months ago, they also welcomed a little girl, Imogen, and often publish content about their life as parents online.
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Speaking after their marriage, Rich said: “Age is just a number to us, and you can’t help who you fall in love with.
The couple have a 19-year age gap (Rich Foetu Tomkinson / SWNS)
Rich met Evie at a pub in 2018 (Rich Foetu Tomkinson / SWNS)“I’ve been mistaken for Evie’s dad before, but most people can see how well we click. The 19-year age gap doesn't bother us at all.
"Marrying Evie was the best day of my life and I’m so excited to have a baby with her.
“At the beginning I don’t think anyone expected we would last - even us - but now we’re happily married and expecting a little one.
“We've already thought about people thinking I'm the grandad rather than the dad at sports days and things like that. We just laugh it off.
“Our family and friends have always been supportive, and they can see how happy we are."
The couple had an early shock when Rich was introduced to Evie’s mum, Sarah Owen, 53, and realised they had met before while working on the same street in the 1990s.
It dawned on them both that it meant he would have seen Evie as a baby when she was still in her pram.
They married in 2019 (Rich Foetu Tomkinson / SWNS)
Rich as a younger man (Rich Foetu Tomkinson / SWNS)Evie added: “A woman asked if I was with my dad once but it wasn't malicious and I think she was mortified when I told her it was my boyfriend.
“It was a bit odd when we worked out Rich had met me when I was a baby. He’s so fun and has the biggest heart.
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"When we’re together you can’t really tell we’ve got a big age gap - apart from Rich’s grey beard.
“Rich is still a fit and healthy man and I know he's going to be a hands-on dad.
"He’s such a warm person, I was just drawn to him from our first conversation.
“My parents have always been supportive of Rich as they could see he made me happy.
"I'd been in turbulent relationships before so they could see that he was a genuinely good person who had a lot of love for their daughter."