Lauren Evens with her wife, Hannah (Image: Jam Press/Zoe Mills Photography )
Age Misunderstanding Sparks Outrage on Social Media
In a digital age where social media often captures life’s most cherished moments, newlywed Lauren Evens found herself at the center of an unexpected storm. Proudly sharing her wedding photos, Lauren intended to bask in the joy of her marriage, only to be confronted by a wave of criticism.
Misunderstood union
The controversy arose from the perception that her partner was much younger. “Some people said it was cute that my 10-year-old son was walking me down the aisle,” Lauren remarked, clarifying that it was, in fact, her partner. “Others said it was disgusting that I was kissing a young boy… the comments offend me and they are incredibly hurtful,” she revealed in an interview with What’s The Jam.
Reality vs. perception
Lauren’s spouse, 29-year-old Hannah Kaye, is often mistaken for being much younger due to her youthful appearance. “My wife is just very lucky to have incredible genes,” Lauren explained. “She is two years younger – I am not getting arrested.”
The couple’s two-year age gap became a focal point for online trolls who were quick to hurl baseless accusations. “People think they have the right to call me a predator or a pedophile, and that disgusts me,” Lauren expressed, highlighting the absurdity and hurtfulness of the comments.
A misjudged appearance
Hannah, a specialist engineer, frequently encounters situations where her youthful looks lead to misunderstandings. Despite nearing 30, she often gets carded at supermarkets and bars. Reflecting on the backlash, Hannah shared, “The negativity exploded when we uploaded our wedding photos. But even before that, any photo of us together would attract nasty comments, because I look younger.”
Family distress
The couple’s families have also been affected by the online vitriol. “Our family have read those comments online and it upsets them, too. They are very protective of us both,” Hannah noted, expressing her frustration over the narrow-mindedness of the trolls.
Meeting on Tinder two years ago, Hannah proposed to Lauren in January 2024, leading to their recent nuptials at a Surrey registry office. Despite the online negativity, the couple remains steadfast in their happiness. “Strangers online can say what they like but we have never been happier,” Lauren affirmed, looking forward to their future together.