A woman who came out late in life and married her partner 19 years her senior openly talks about their whirlwind romance, which saw them tie the knot just three months apart.
Olivia Reed, 34, from Maryland, had only dated men her entire life, but when her six-year relationship ended, she decided to venture into uncharted territory and try her hand at picking up women.
In February 2023, she started swiping on the dating app Bumble, where she matched with 53-year-old Kelly Reed.
The two quickly hit it off and began chatting every day until they decided to meet up. Kelly drove the seven and a half hour drive from Massachusetts to Maryland to finally see Olivia in person.
And just two weeks later, Kelly moved in with Olivia, before getting down on one knee in June.
A woman who came out as gay later in life and married her partner of 19 years’ senior has spoken openly about their stormy romance
The couple married that same month, on June 24, 2023, in an intimate ceremony.
Now they have been married for a year and they say they couldn’t be happier.
Olivia said: ‘I’ve only been in relationships with men before. I’m so happy to be here.
“I never thought I would get married. It’s been a whirlwind. We don’t take it for granted.”
Meanwhile, Kelly compared their romance to a fairy tale book and raved about Olivia.
She added: ‘It’s like a fairy tale. I’ve never been happier in my life. I didn’t realise how unhappy I was. I wake up every day and I can’t believe I’m here. I’m so grateful for her.’
Olivia wanted to try out dating women after getting out of a long-term relationship, so she tried several dating apps before meeting Kelly on Bumble.
She explained, “I wanted to know if I liked being with women.”
Olivia Reed, 34, from Maryland, had only dated men her entire life, but when her six-year relationship ended, she decided to dip her toes into uncharted waters
Kelly was single for 12 years but decided to get back out there and Olivia was the first woman she spotted when she downloaded the app
Kelly was single for 12 years but decided to do something again. Olivia was the first woman she spotted when she downloaded the app.
“She was the first person that showed up. I contacted her and we exchanged numbers. We texted for two weeks and then I finally got her on the phone,” Kelly said.
‘I liked her so much. I was completely in love.’
Kelly was so eager to meet Olivia that she made the long drive to her place. After a few weeks of talking, she decided to drive over.
“This was way out of character for me. I told her best friend, ‘I’m going to marry this woman,'” Kelly said.
The couple hit it off right away, and because Kelly was allowed to work remotely, she moved to Maryland just two weeks after they first met in person.
Their relationship developed quickly and Kelly proposed to her on June 3, 2023.
“We got married in the hotel where we met,” she said.
Olivia added: ‘It was just me, Kelly and my girlfriend getting married. It was very private and very simple.’
The couple have been enjoying their newlywed years ever since and say their families have been very supportive of their relationships, despite the age difference.
Olivia said: ‘You do see some differences between generations, like the use of technology, but 99 percent of the time we don’t really think about it.
The couple is focused on each other and looks forward to spending many years together
“I was nervous about telling my parents. I’d only ever been with guys, but they were so accepting.”
The couple admitted that they occasionally received comments mistaking them for mother and daughter, but they never felt offended.
Kelly said, “When I was in Massachusetts, they asked me, ‘Is that your daughter?’ The man was mortified.”
Olivia added: ‘People online ask, “Are you at your grandma’s?” We don’t take it badly.’
The couple is focused on each other and looks forward to being together for many years to come.
Olivia said, “You have to be open to something different. You don’t know what’s going to happen, but it could be a really good change.”