I came out gay later in life before getting married to a woman 19 years my senior

A woman who came out as gay later in life and tied the knot with her partner 19 years her senior has opened up about their whirlwind romance that saw them saying 'I do' just three months after meeting. 

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 and try her hand at romancing women. 

She began swiping away on the dating app Bumble in February 2023, which is when she matched with 53-year-old Kelly Reed. 

The pair soon hit it off and began chatting every day until they decided to meet - with Kelly driving the seven-and-a-half hours to Maryland from Massachusetts to finally see Olivia in person. 

And just two weeks later, Kelly relocated and moved in with Olivia before getting down on one knee in June. 

A woman who came out as gay later in life and tied the knot with her partner 19 years her senior has opened up about their whirlwind romance

The couple wed that same month - on June 24, 2023 - in an intimate ceremony.

Now, they are ringing in one year of marriage and revealed that they couldn't be happier.

Olivia said: 'Previously I'd only been in relationships with men. I'm so happy this is where I am.

'I never even pictured myself getting married. It's been a whirlwind. We don't take it for granted.'

Meanwhile, Kelly compared their romance to a storybook and gushed about Olivia. 

She added: 'It's like a fairytale. I've never been happier in my life. I didn't realize how unhappy I was before. I wake up every single day and I can't believe I'm here. I'm so grateful for her.'

Olivia wanted to give dating women a try after getting out of a long-term relationship so hopped on various dating apps before connecting with Kelly on Bumble.

She explained: 'I wanted to see 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 had been 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 had been single for 12 years but decided to get back out there and Olivia was the first woman she spotted when she downloaded the app.

'She was the first person that popped up. I reached out to 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 head over heels.'

Kelly was so desperate to meet Olivia she made the long drive down to see her - after just a few weeks of talking.

'This was so out of my character range. I said to her closest friend, "I'm going to marry this woman,"' Kelly said.

The couple instantly hit it off and because Kelly was allowed to work remotely, she made the move to Maryland - just two weeks after they met in person for the first time.

Their relationship progressed quickly and Kelly proposed on June 3, 2023.

'We got married at the hotel that we met at,' she said.

Olivia added: 'It was just me and Kelly and my friend who married us. It was very private and very simple.'

The couple have been enjoying being newlyweds ever since and revealed that their families are very supportive of their relationships - despite there being an age gap. 

Olivia said: 'You notice some generational differences, like technological use, but 99 per cent of the time we don't really think about it.

The couple is focusing on each other and are looking forward to spending many years together

'I was nervous about telling my parents. I'd only ever been with men but they were so accepting.'

The pair confessed that they've had the occasional comment mistaking them for mother and daughter - but have never been offended.

Kelly said: 'Back in Massachusetts I got asked, "Is that your daughter?" The guy was mortified.'

Olivia added: 'Online people say, "Are you with your grandma?" We don't take offense.'

The couple is focusing on each other and are looking forward to spending many years together. 

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.'