'Strangers mistake us for mum and daughter because of our 28-year age gap'

A couple with a 28-year age gap say they are sometimes mistaken for mum and daughter but are happier than ever.

Claire Taylor Haukedahl, 39, and Tami Haukedahl, 67, met through TikTok and hit if off straight away. They met in person after two and half months of talking on the app and got engaged after just 10 months together and are now married.

Despite Tami being older than Claire's mumand having a son one year older than Claire, the pair "couldn't be happier".

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The couple say mean trolls call Tami a "pervert" and ask "why one them dresses like a man" but they are just "grateful" for every day together.

Tami, a retired commander in the Illinois state police, originally from Chicago, Illinois, US, said: "People say 'how cute mother and daughter'.

"A lot of it is from being gay. They call me the 'he'. We have got used to that. People associate it with 'you must want people to be your mummy'. It's just a difference in age. I'm experiencing the best love of my life. I'm grateful every day."

Claire, an investment manager, from Mobile, Alabama, said: "Some women and men are attracted to people older than them.

"It doesn't mean they are looking for a parent. It feels like we are the same age. There are people who identify more with people who are not their own age. You can learn a lot from people older than you."

Claire decided to create a video on TikTok about her previous 43 year age gap relationship with a woman - who has since passed away after four years together.

Tami was scrolling through her for you page when the video caught her eye in November 2022.

She said: "I thought her tributes to her former partner were so sentimental. I thought this woman is really caring. I was so amazed. I was watching her content but didn't follow her. I thought 'she's so beautiful'."

When Tami finally did hit the follow button, Claire spotted her new follower's profile picture.

Claire said: "All I could see was her little profile picture. I thought she was just my type. I messaged her to say 'I think you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen'."

Tami didn't spot the message at first but when Claire sent another message - when she could see she was online - the pair started chatting back and forth.

Tami said: "We talked most days and I got to see she was sincere. It was like an old fashioned romance - writing to each other. I was learning about her through words. Two weeks in I thought 'I think I'm in love with her'. We hadn't even spoken on the phone."

Claire flew 916 miles to Chicago, Illinois, to meet Tami for the first time in January 2023. Claire said: "We knew we were going to be great. We had instant chemistry."

The pair then took it in turns to fly back and forth before deciding they didn't want to be apart in May 2023. Claire said: "We haven't spent a single day apart since then." The pair originally settled in Mobile, Alabama, and moved to Pensacola, Florida in March 2025.

Tami - whose son is older than Claire at 40 - popped the question while they were on holiday in Hawaii in September 2023.

The pair had hired a photographer to take some photos so they could get some shots of the moment.

Claire said: "Tami told the photographer she was going to propose. It was the most beautiful sunset on this very little secluded beach. It was a very happy moment."

They tied the knot in Hawaii in the exact same place as the proposal in August 2024.

The happy couple say they do get a lot of comments online about their age gap and Tami was worried about judgement in person at first.

She said: "I was mortified people would be like 'are out with your mum?' Every so often people do a double take."

Claire said: "They do stare. The only time we really had a comment was at Christmas. We were getting mulled wine and someone said 'it's so lovely you and your mum are out celebrating'."

The couple have already had an honest conversation about ageing. Claire said: "In 20 years she'll be 85. Tami is extremely healthy. We can't obsess about the future like that and can only prepare as best we can."

Tami said: "There are some things we can change but not our age. 'I'm very active and fit. We haven't got 50 years together. We take every day as it comes. We may have limited time. We don't take every day for granted."

The couple hope sharing their story can stop the judgement surrounding age gaps.

Tami said: "Claire came out of the blue when I was 64. It's renewed my excitement for life. I feel loved like I have never been loved before."