I met love of my life at 67 when he was a teen straight out of school – trolls joke ‘you don’t have long left together’
IRIS Hall was 67 when she met the "love of her life" - a man 48 years her junior who was fresh out of high school.
The pensioner from the Shetland islands, now 70, fell for Alex Sellars, originally from Manchester, on Facebook when he was just 19.
Since getting together, strangers have taunted Iris for being old enough to be Alex’s grandmother, while others have been "disgusted" and labelled him a "gold-digger".
But the couple have ignored any criticism and claim they’re happier than ever.
Iris says: “If you’ve found love at an older age, just go for it. Never worry what people think.
“Because if Alex and I did, we wouldn’t have found a love as great as ours.
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“He may be 48 years younger but I’ve never had such a connection before. He’s the love of my life, and next year, we’re hoping to get married.”
The pair got chatting in June 2020, when Iris replied to a comment Alex, now 22, made on a public photo shared by a zoo on Facebook.
Iris recalls: “Alex, who was a complete stranger, commented about it being cruel to keep animals in captivity.
“Enslaved animals broke my heart too, so I replied to his comment agreeing. We began discussing animal rights in the comment section.
“Soon after I clicked onto his profile and saw a young lad wearing a baseball cap. He didn’t look a day over 20.
“As a retired 67-year-old, I often got lonely. My decade-long marriage had ended years before, and my kids, all in their late 30s and 40s, had left the nest years ago.”
Keen for some companionship, Iris decided to add Alex as a friend and discovered he lived in Manchester.
Iris says: “Alex then told me he was 20 and I was shocked. He was so mature and intelligent for his age.
“For such a young boy he was so lovely, too. I thought to myself, 'why can’t we be friends?' Age shouldn’t matter in friendships.
He may be 48 years younger but I’ve never had such a connection before. He’s the love of my life, and next year, we’re hoping to get married
Iris Hall
“But after a week of speaking, Alex had a confession. He said he was actually 19, and that he wanted to seem older for me. He apologised.
“I thought he was a cheeky bugger. There was no need to lie as we were just friends. But a moment later, he said he really liked my photos and he couldn’t believe my age.
“I realised he was hitting on me, and I couldn’t believe it. I was 48 years older, I never thought he’d be interested.
“At first, I just brushed it off. But soon my eyes would light up every time my phone buzzed. We began video-calling most days.”
After three months the pair admitted they had feelings for each-other, and became a couple.
Iris says: “Alex had never been with an older woman before, nor ever imagined himself with one. But things just felt right between us.
“We decided to push aside our worries and give things a try.”
The next week, in September 2020, Iris and Alex organised to meet each other, and she told her eldest son, then 40, about her new partner.
Feeling shocked and protective, her son tagged along with his mum to ensure she was safe.
Iris says: “As I had severe hip problems, and couldn’t walk far, I was happy to have the help.
“At the airport when I saw Alex I was so nervous, but when we hugged my nerves went away.
Alex had never been with an older woman before, nor ever imagined himself with one. But things just felt right between us
Iris Hall
“I never wanted to let go and realised I’d hadn’t felt this way in years. During our trip, it felt like I’d known him a lifetime.
“My son gave us space when we needed it.
“At night, Alex was nervous and wanted to take things slow. I understood completely so we cuddled in bed.
“A week in we had our first kiss, and it was more amazing than I could’ve imagined.
“We discussed the age gap a lot and agreed that Alex was an adult, and very mature. So we decided we wouldn’t care what others thought.”
Family fall-out
After parting ways the couple decided Alex would relocate to Shetland, but as he was working as a full-time chef, he needed to save funds before making the move.
After the trip they both came clean to their families about their union.
Iris says: “Alex’s mum was 10 years younger than me and didn’t want him dating an older woman at first. But she just needed time and after a while she saw how happy Alex was.
“But sadly his dad couldn’t get his head around it. He was disgusted at our relationship, so him and Alex stopped speaking.
“Alex met my two other sons, aged 38 and 37, and although they were quiet at first, they eventually built a great friendship.”
Eight months later in May 2021, Alex moved to Shetland permanently to be with Iris.
As Iris is retired and was on the NHS waiting list for a hip replacement, Alex began to care for her around the house.
Iris says: “The pain with my hip was getting worse. Alex took care of me, helping me up and down the stairs and wheeling me around.
The pain with my hip was getting worse. Alex took care of me, helping me up and down the stairs and wheeling me around
Iris Hall
“By then Alex’s life had completely changed as he used to go to pubs, parties and events.
“He’d swapped it all for staying in with me every night, cooking, baking and watching TV. But we were the happiest we’d ever been.
“I felt so lucky to have him and weirdly, we suited each-other more than my past relationships.
“He always left me romantic notes around the house, and always told me how much he loved me.”
'Talk of the town'
Soon word spread around Shetland about Iris dating a younger man, and the couple became the talk of the town.
Iris says: “It was a very small area and everyone was gossiping about us. Then one day a neighbour said I was old enough to be his granny.
“It was infuriating but Alex and I tried to not let it get to us.
“Alex’s friends also made fun of him, whilst others told him how he didn’t have much longer with me and asked him what was the point of our relationship.
“Sadly he lost a lot of friends but we tried to not let it bother us.
Alex’s friends also made fun of him, whilst others told him how he didn’t have much longer with me and asked him what was the point of our relationship
Iris Hall
“After that, I grew self-conscious and avoided holding Alex’s hand in public. I didn’t want people to slap me because they thought I was a baby snatcher.
“So many gave us dirty looks or confused me for his grandmother, and others accused Alex of being a gold-digger.
“Frustratingly Alex was a hard-working chef and worked long hours. I was just living on my small pension. It was a silly stereotype, that was far from the truth.”
Iris has grown not to be ashamed and takes Alex’s arm proudly when they’re out for dinner.
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The couple have gone from strength to strength, and are even planning on getting married next year.
Iris adds: “I’m too old for children and Alex is fine with that. We both try to be positive and focus on the present."
