A woman whose boyfriend is 30 years her senior revealed how women flirt with him in front of her because they think she is his daughter.
Alexa Hendershot, 25, of Charleston, West Virginia, met Mark Blackwell, 55, a graphic designer, two years ago through Instagram and the pair had an immediate connection.
Alexa insisted the age-gap has never been an issue, saying: ‘My parents would ask me how I could date someone so much older, but everyone I dated that was my age wanted a surrogate mother and I wanted a partner.’
Online love: Alexa Hendershot, 25, met Mark Blackwell, 55, a graphic designer, on Instagram
Immediate spark: The couple struck up a relationship and have been together for two years
However Alexa admitted she is sometimes mistaken for Mark’s daughter and has even had to watch other women flirt with him in front of her.
She said: ‘We often get confused as father and daughter when we’re in new places. Women usually flirt with Mark and assume he’s my dad so I have to let them know that it’s my boyfriend they’re talking too.
‘I remember one very “in my face moment” was when a cashier was flirting with Mark right in front of me.
‘I had to stand there and listen this lady try and date my boyfriend, it’s always hard when it happens and I’m quick to let them know that I am his partner, not his daughter.
‘It happens all the time in similar situations, when we shop together, eat together, or are just when we’re walking around. I have been out with Mark and my mum and people thought they were my parents.’
Family ties: Alexa with Mark (right) his brother Glen (left) and father Sonny (centre). They both get on well with each other’s friends and families despite initial reservations about the age-gap
Close: Alexa with her sister Lauren, mother Candice and Mark. Mark is good friends with Alexa’s father Shane, 48
Mark explained he sees himself as ‘young at heart’ and said he ‘doesn’t act his age’.
‘I think I can offer Alexa stability, I have manners, I’m old school and I treat people well,’ he continued.
‘When I first met Alexa she never struck me at all as immature or too young for me, and that’s why we got on so well, I really respected her. She’s very smart, she has a great vocabulary and that’s super sexy to me.
‘When I first told my friends and family about her they were all worried to an extent, they thought maybe she didn’t want me but my money or something else.
‘That all changed when they met her. My step-mother told Alexa after she met her that she can come to their house without me – she’s so charming and my family see she’s good for me.
Mistaken: Alexa admitted some strangers mistake Mark, pictured together, for her father
Perfect match: The couple, pictured, said their 30-year age gap doesn’t make a difference
He’s a catch! Alexa admitted women sometimes flirt with Mark in front of her because they think she’s his daughter. Pictured, the couple pose for a photo together
‘Day-to-day it’s easy, we get on well and nobody gives us any grief about our relationship, my friends like her and I am really happy to be with her.
‘If anything, I would say I am more active, I always want to be out doing stuff and she always wants to nap.’
The most difficult challenge they have faced is convincing Alexa’s family
Alexa said: ‘I told my parents separately, my mom was very shocked and didn’t expect it, she told my dad and he wasn’t happy about.
Man in charge: Mark said he thinks he brings ‘stability’ to his 25-year-old girlfriend’s life
Young at heart: Mark, pictured, admitted he feels ‘young at heart’ and ‘doesn’t act his age’
Keeping active: Mark said he is more active than his 25-year-old girlfriend, pictured together
‘He did not want to meet Mark at all, my mom did eventually though and she and Mark got on really well.
‘That was probably one of the hardest parts though, my dad just wasn’t okay with the it to start with, he spoke to me still but he wouldn’t speak to Mark at all.’
However Mark has since been able to win them over.
Mark said: ‘I invited her dad round with the rest of the family and we just clicked, from then on everything got way easier.’
Rules don’t apply: Alexa said she isn’t looking for marriage so ‘restrictions’ don’t apply to her
Now, they want to remove the elephant in the room when people discuss age-gap relationships and are debunking a life choice that that is often seen as going against the grain in society.
Alexa said: ‘I understand why people think it’s odd, but that’s because they’re used to what we would say is a traditional relationship.
‘People ask me about kids and marriage and my future, but kids and marriage aren’t something I want, so the restrictions of being with someone older do not apply to me, and that’s why we work so well together.’
Mark added: ‘I have dated people in the past and had some really awful relationships, but with Alexa I am just really happy, yes I’m a lot older than her, but you’re only as old as you feel.’