A woman, who is engaged to a man eight inches shorter than her, has hit back at people who say their height difference is “weird.”
Darlene Marshall, 37, and fiancé Matthew Cretaro, 46, have been the target of cruel jokes because she is 6ft 1in and he is 5ft 5in.
The personal trainers from New York in the US say they often get “funny looks” when they’re out and about together, but they insist they couldn’t be happier.
Responding to critics who think their height difference is strange, they’ve encouraged people to overlook the issue.
Darlene said: “Strangers assume we aren’t together because of our height difference, which is silly.
“There has been a time where a waiter has been flirting with me as he didn’t realise until Matthew put his hand on my leg.”
She added she’s from a family of tall people, with most family members measuring over 6ft. When she first introduced her beau to her loved ones, they were surprised at his height.
“Once they got to know him, they could see past something so shallow,” she said.
The loved up pair say that the height difference between them is the “least important factor” in their happiness because they are attracted to each other and share the same values.
“Strangers stare at us and friends have made remarks such as ‘I couldn’t be with someone taller’ but we just laugh it off,” Darlene said.
“We don’t see our height difference as weird as we are just two people who are in love.”
She took aim at the “stigma” surrounding height differences when it comes to dating, adding it can be difficult to find love as a taller woman.
She said: “I divorced three years ago and began to believe I may never find someone again. Dating is already difficult.
“I had a hard time finding someone who wanted to date a woman as tall as me.
“I discovered there is judgement from others who are trying to find a partner using dating apps.”
She described a market where there are “so many variables” to consider as people are looking for perfection.
“By setting height preferences they are passing on so many incredible people,” she said.
Darlene admits she was starting to lose hope of meeting a new partner and was preparing to let the idea go.
But in February 2020, when Darlene fell ill, her friend of eight years, Matthew, took care of her.
Feelings developed between the pair, and they’re now happily engaged.
She said: “When we look at pictures of ourselves we see two people who are happy to be together but others may think we look funny.
“When I post pictures of us short men comment they are so happy to see it and they feel validated.
“The quality and value of someone have nothing to do with the length of your body.
“I hope our story helps people understand the interests, personality and strength of character are much more important than how long their legs are.”