A couple with a two-foot height difference have opened up about the 'long and short' of their mismatched bodies.
At over 7ft tall, Jason Appleton, 46, towers over his 6ft tall wife Cristen, 40, and while their height difference doesn't bother them personally, they admitted they are often treated like a tourist attraction by strangers. to stare.
The Florida couple explained: 'On our first night out we were inundated with people asking questions and taking pictures – it was like we had just fallen from space.
“It's fun for a minute, but it can get uncomfortable at times.”
At over 7ft tall, Jason Appleton, 46, towers over his 6ft tall wife Cristen, 40, and while their height difference doesn't bother them personally, they admitted they are often treated like a tourist attraction by strangers. to stare
Cristen, whose height only reaches her husband's chest, added: 'Everyone stares and talks about us every time we leave the house together, especially when I'm not wearing heels. But I'm used to it.'
The pair met through a mutual friend on Facebook and Cristen admits that despite browsing Jason's page, she never realized he was 7 feet tall until their paths crossed in person – although she found him attractive from the start.
When the pair spoke, they hit it off and dated for a short period before breaking things off, but Jason hooked up with Cristen about six months later, and after reuniting, they have been inseparable ever since.
Jason explained that he's always preferred smaller women because he “desires” the opposite of himself and Cristen admits that at 6-foot-4, she's used to everyone being taller than her.
And there are many areas where the height difference simply doesn't affect the couple, who admit to being a perfect match with their equally great personalities and sense of humor.
Cristen, a salsa dancer, said, “I never really felt weird about his height. It never felt strange or there was something that really stood out to me.
“Maybe it's because I'm 6 feet tall, so everyone is taller than me.
“I think my family found it shocking and hilarious that I found love with Jason, but I needed a big man to match my energy.”
The Florida couple explained: 'On our first night out we were inundated with people asking questions and taking pictures – it was like we had just fallen from space'
The pair met through a mutual friend on Facebook and Cristen admits that despite browsing Jason's page, she never realized he was 7ft tall until their paths crossed in person.
Jason, who works as a cryptocurrency trader and teacher, said: “People's reactions depend on where we are.
'There are places where you would think I was throwing money and candy everywhere.
“Sometimes we just get a lot of stares, and every now and then no one cares and he keeps to himself for the most part.”
Jason said of the biggest question from curious strangers: “People wonder how 'things work' and I can say it's not always easy because I'm physically in two time zones.
'Christen only has to choose which hemisphere she wants to visit on holiday.
'To be honest, I don't think either of us really think about the height difference. We're so used to it, but even years ago it was never really a thing.
“Average us and we're two normal-sized people – yin and yang in every way, but we fit.”
Cristen added, “Opposites attract. We are opposites in every way. And it works for us.'
But Jason admitted that, aside from the invasive questions, there are everyday downsides to being in a relationship with a height difference: “There are several things we can't do easily.
'I'm usually a wallet holder at amusement parks because I can't ride anything.
Jason explained that he's always preferred smaller women because he “desires” the opposite of himself and Cristen admits that at 6-foot-1, she's used to everyone being taller than her.
Jason admitted that, aside from the invasive questions, there are daily downsides to being in a relationship with a height difference
'It's hard to dance together and because she's a competitive salsa dancer, I would love to do that with her, but it's just very uncomfortable for me.
“I would say there are more benefits for every challenge.”
Cristen joked, “It's hard to kiss too. I either have to break my neck or he'll break his back. I stand on something or he sits down while I stand. Lying down is of course fine.
When asked if they had any advice for others in a relationship with a height difference, Jason said, “I would tell the tall person to enjoy the ride and watch your step.
“And I would tell the little person not to put anything important on the shelf if you ever want the other person to see or find it again!”
Cristen advised, “I just don't think the height difference matters. Furthermore, he puts everything on the top shelf, while I put things on the bottom shelves. He is more careful with his surroundings.
'He says I'm like a wild elephant rushing through the house like a tornado. What can I say? Small people move quickly.
“I just know that we love each other and see ourselves as each other's equals and partners.”