Age gap couple’ Megan Willis and Mark Stone first met when she was planning to marry another man – but when she divorced her husband, their romance blossomed
A woman fell in love with her own wedding DJ two years after getting married.
Megan Willis, 26, first met her current partner Mark Stone, 49, in November 2015 after being introduced by her sister.
She later ended up booking Mark to DJ at her upcoming wedding in July 2016.
But a year into her marriage, Megan says she felt unhappy and neglected.
After going to visit her sister for comfort, she bumped into Mark once again and found herself opening up about her failed relationship.
The pair became close friends and started to chat every day.
Mark confided in Megan about the problems in his 27-year marriage which had recently come to an end.
And eight months later, when Mark’s divorce was finalised, he moved to join her.
Megan says she doubted their relationship at first because of their 23-year age gap but these concerns soon disappeared.
According to the couple, their families accepted their relationship and were pleased they had found happiness together.
The pair hope to one day have children as Mark has had his vasectomy reversed.
In the meantime, they are sharing their love on social media under the handle @wearemarkandmegan to break the stigma surrounding age gap relationships.
“Basically, our story starts with my sister and a restaurant called The Crazy Tuna Bar & Grill back home in Maryland,” Megan said.
“My sister went to this bar a lot and when I came home to visit from Saratoga Springs, New York she took me to the Crazy Tuna. She introduced me to DJ Mark Stone and his brother who was part owner of the Crazy Tuna.
“Every time I came home to visit we would go to the Crazy Tuna and most of the time Mark was there. He was such a people person, so much fun and we loved to goof off with him. Little down the road I got married and my sister hired Mark to DJ my wedding.
“About a year later I’m home visiting and we go to the Crazy Tuna, Mark is there and we talk about my marriage and how I’m not happy in it. After that night that conversation continued because Mark was having some similar issues in his marriage of 27 years. So we started chatting daily.
“My marriage ended because I was not fully happy and not getting what I needed out of it. My ex was addicted to a video game that basically became his life and I was basically non-existent.
“He didn’t want to spend time with me, didn’t want to go out and explore. He counted hanging out as me watching tv and him playing his game with headphones on in the same room. I realised that I shouldn’t have to feel non-existent or beg for someone’s attention, so I filed for divorce.
“Talking with Mark really led me to the realisation that I shouldn’t have to beg my husband for attention. Mark was just a friend yet everyday he took time to check in on me. We both really enjoyed our chats no matter how silly or serious they were.
“When me and my ex would get into an argument Mark was there to calm me down and just remind me it all would be okay. His support through it all really meant a lot to me. Going through something like a divorce you really need to have someone there to support you and to vent to and that’s exactly what Mark was for me and I’m forever thankful for that.
“I think I realised I’d fallen for him first. Though it was while Mark was still married but separated from his wife it wasn’t something I felt I could act on. I kept it to myself. At this time he needed the support like he gave me and I made sure I was there for him in that way.
“Being together all negative thoughts went away. I’m an older soul and he’s a young soul so it’s almost like we meet in the middle and it’s perfect.”
Mark says he struggled to come to terms with the end of his marriage but once he accepted it, he was able to open his heart to Megan.
“I was in a bad place when my ex left me because I didn’t want it and it took me a while to realise it was over,” he said.
“Megan’s support through it all quickly turned into feelings that have grown stronger every day. Once I realised my marriage was over, I opened my eyes to the love I felt for Megan.
“Me getting over my ex was the biggest issue. It took a lot out of me mentally to accept the end of a 30-year relationship. Otherwise we rarely have any issues we struggle with.
“As I got to know her, I discovered underneath a person who filled your heart and soul with everything that defines love.
“For me, my siblings, and even my kids had reservations about me even getting into a new relationship, much less the age gap, but when they saw me finding happiness again, they all concurred that as long as I was happy, nothing else mattered.
“Many folks congratulated me on being happy again but I loved the feelings we shared when we started seeing each other as more than just friends.”
Megan and Mark say they have overheard strangers whispering about their relationship when they are out in public.
But they vow to never hide their love and want to encourage other age gap couples not to hide away.
“We hope to have children,” Megan said.
“Mark needs a vasectomy reversal to do so. He got his vasectomy done 21 years ago so we hope that having a kid will still be an option for us.
“We already have names picked out, Rhett Michael for a boy and Taylie Mae for a girl.
“Most people whisper something like, ‘do you think she’s with him?’ When we hear stuff like that we just kiss or do something that makes sure it’s obvious to let them know and then we laugh about it. We don’t care what anyone thinks anymore.
“Love is love. Never feel ashamed for who you love. Never hide your love. Embrace it, shout it from the roof tops because it’s the most amazing feeling to love and be loved.
“I hope people see our age gap and the love that we have for each other and for an age gap relationship to be less ‘odd’ and to remove the stigma that if a female is with an older male that she’s with him for
