Influencer defends 26-year age gap with husband amid online criticism

An influencer has defended her 26-year age gap with her husband amidst immense online criticism.

Aundrea Griffin, 39, from College Station, Texas, met her husband, Ken Griffin, 65, in 2009 at a bar in San Antonio when she was 22 and he was 48. 

Despite him being more than two decades her senior, she was immediately drawn to his ‘charming, confident and kind’ personality. 

‘The age difference was noticeable, of course, but he made me laugh and made me feel incredibly safe and respected, which mattered more than anything else,’ she explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail. 

Aundrea explained that she noticed a ‘calmness in him’ that she had never experience with anyone else before, and was impressed by how ‘established in life’ he was.

‘He received two masters degrees, knows Italian, has lived all over the world because he was in the Air Force for almost 30 years. I loved that,’ she gushed.

They started dating a few weeks after they first met, but immediately, they faced some pushback from friends and family over their massive age difference. 

‘Some friends were surprised at first, mostly out of concern about how it might work long-term,’ she admitted.

An influencer has defended her 26-year age gap with her husband amidst immense online criticism

Aundrea Griffin, 39, from College Station, Texas, met her husband, Ken Griffin, 65, in 2009 at a bar in San Antonio and they have been together for 16 years and welcomed five children

‘My mom was the most concerned. But everyone quickly saw how genuine and balanced our relationship was.’

Flash forward to now, 16 years later, and the two are happily married and have five children together, with another one on the way.

And while their loved ones have all come around and have ‘fully embrace them as a couple,’ strangers are a different story.

Aundrea, who has racked up over 22,000 followers on Instagram, admitted that they often have to deal with stares in public and have faced immense backlash online over their relationship.

‘The hardest part [is] dealing with how outsiders perceive it,’ she said. ‘Especially when we go out in public. Lots of staring. 

‘People make assumptions before they know us. We’ve gotten everything from “grandpa jokes” to people calling me a gold digger [online].

‘It used to sting, but now I see it for what it is – people projecting their own insecurities. Ken doesn’t care at all. He doesn’t even use social media.

‘And inside our home and our marriage, it’s completely normal and full of mutual respect. We don’t live our life for strangers on the internet.’

Aundrea admitted that they often have to deal with stares in public and have faced immense backlash online over their relationship

Aundrea vowed that despite growing up in ‘different eras,’ it hasn’t caused a divide in their romance

Aundrea vowed that despite growing up in ‘different eras,’ it hasn’t caused a divide in their romance.

‘We laugh about it,’ she explained. ‘We share a love of travel, trying new food and wine, live music and spending time with our kids. 

‘We may not always agree on music or movie choices, but our values of family are totally aligned.’

In fact, she believes their opposite personalities – she’s more ‘goofy’ while Ken, coming from a military background ‘can be very serious’ – is what makes them so strong. 

‘He teaches me patience and perspective. We balance each other out perfectly,’ she said.

In response to those who may question the physical side of their relationship, she quipped: ‘Would you be with someone for 16 plus years and expecting your sixth kid if you weren’t [attracted to him]?

‘Our connection is very real. Attraction goes so far beyond age as well, it’s about chemistry, trust and emotional closeness. We have all of that and more.’

Aundrea said she’s ‘very realistic’ about the fact that as Ken ages she might have to care for him.

She believes their opposite personalities – she’s more ‘goofy’ while Ken, coming from a military background ‘can be very serious’ – is what makes them so strong

She said: ‘Our connection is very real. Attraction goes so far beyond age as well, it’s about chemistry, trust and emotional closeness. We have all of that and more’

In response to those who may question the physical side of their relationship, she quipped: ‘Would you be with someone for 16 plus years if you weren’t [attracted to him]?’

‘I’ve always been a nurturer, and I know that love includes caring for one another through every phase of life,’ she stated.

‘He’s also incredibly healthy and active, so we focus on living fully right now.’

She also vowed that Ken is an ‘amazing, patient and gentle’ father to their five kids, despite being slightly older than most dads.

‘He may not understand every TikTok trend, but he’s fully engaged. Our kids adore him,’ she said.

‘He’s a dad who shows up for everything. He doesn’t miss a recital, a game or a tradition. He’s all in for our family, every single day.’

In the end, Aundrea said she hopes that by being so open about their unconventional romance, she can help show others that it’s OK to go against the grain.

‘If our story challenges stereotypes or helps others feel confident in their own unconventional relationships, that’s enough for me,’ she said.

‘I hope that people understand that there is nothing “wrong” about being with someone older. Not when the foundation is love, respect, and genuine partnership. 

The couple is seen early on in their relationship

In the end, Aundrea said she hopes that by being so open about their unconventional romance, she can help show others that it’s OK to go against the grain

‘And to those who fixate on his age or the idea that he will not be here forever… None of us are promised forever.

‘There are plenty of parents who are young and physically present but emotionally absent, battling addiction or simply not showing up. Ken is the opposite of that. He’s here, he’s invested, and he’s thriving.

‘Our relationship might not look “typical” from the outside, but love doesn’t have to fit someone else’s version of normal. We know we aren’t normal.

‘It’s not about age, it’s about connection and how two people choose to love and build a life together. 

‘We are two consenting adults who have built a solid, joyful life. What more can you ask for? So to anyone worried about us, don’t be. We’re good. We’ve got this.’