They’ve faced stares in public, judgment online, and countless whispers behind their backs — but now, one couple with a 37-year age difference is setting the record straight about their relationship, insisting that their bond is built on “real love, not numbers.”
Cheryl McGregor, 63, and Quran McCain, 26, from Rome, Georgia, have gone viral yet again after releasing a heartfelt video responding to the question they say they hear every single day: “Is your relationship real?” Their answer — delivered through laughter, tears, and complete honesty — has silenced many of their critics and inspired millions of viewers across TikTok and Instagram.
“We’re used to people calling us names, saying it’s fake or that I’m after her money,” Quran said in the now-viral clip, which has amassed more than 18 million views. “But it’s real. We’ve built a life together. We wake up every day grateful that we didn’t let the world stop us.”
“‘We don’t see age — we see love.’ Viral couple with 37-year age gap respond to critics.” @guardian
The pair first met years ago when Quran worked at a fast-food restaurant managed by Cheryl’s son. Years later, they reconnected — and their friendship blossomed into romance. After going public in 2021, the couple faced a tidal wave of online scrutiny, with many commenters questioning their motives. Some accused Quran of being manipulative, while others accused Cheryl of being “delusional.” But instead of hiding, they leaned into their story — and found a following of millions.
In their new video, posted to @therealoliverfamily, Cheryl directly addresses critics. “I’m not a sugar mama. He’s not a scammer,” she said with a smile. “We have something rare — unconditional love. People can’t stand to see it because they don’t understand it.”
The couple’s story has been featured by outlets like The Independent and Newsweek, who both noted that their relationship challenges deep-rooted age and gender stereotypes. Psychologists have even weighed in, saying that “age-gap relationships often attract more stigma when the woman is older,” according to Dr. Laura Brennan from Psychology Today.
“People forget we’re human. We just happen to love each other.” — Cheryl, 63 @reuters
The pair’s chemistry is undeniable. In one TikTok that’s now surpassed 10 million likes, Quran surprises Cheryl with flowers and tells her, “You’re my forever.” In another, they share their morning routine — dancing in the kitchen while cooking breakfast. “We laugh every day,” Cheryl says. “That’s the secret. Laughter keeps us young.”
But the couple has also been transparent about their challenges. “We’ve lost friends. My own family didn’t talk to me for months,” Quran admitted in an emotional segment. “But at the end of the day, it’s our life. People can hate all they want — they’re not the ones who have to wake up alone.”
Online, reactions to the couple’s latest message have been mixed but overwhelmingly supportive. “You can see the love in their eyes,” one user commented under their TikTok. “Forget the age gap — that’s real happiness right there.” Others, however, continued to express skepticism. “It’s weird,” one critic wrote. “If the roles were reversed, people would lose their minds.”
Despite the negativity, the couple says they’ve learned to focus only on kindness. “We’ve heard it all — the jokes, the hate, the disbelief,” Cheryl said in a follow-up video on Instagram. “But what people forget is that love doesn’t have an expiration date. It doesn’t have a rule book.”
“Love doesn’t follow society’s timeline. It follows the heart’s.” — Quran McCain @people
In one of their most emotional moments, the couple revealed that they’ve been discussing starting a family — through surrogacy or adoption. “We’ve talked about it for years,” Quran said. “We have so much love to give, and we want to share it.” Cheryl added tearfully, “People say I’m too old. But love makes you young — and we’re ready.”
Their openness has inspired countless others in unconventional relationships to speak up. “I’ve been scared to tell people about my boyfriend because of our age gap,” one woman wrote on Reddit. “But seeing Cheryl and Quran gives me courage.”
Experts say that while society is slowly becoming more accepting of nontraditional relationships, double standards persist. “When an older man dates a younger woman, it’s normalized,” explained relationship therapist Dr. Jasmine Taylor. “But when an older woman does it, she’s mocked. That’s what makes Cheryl and Quran’s story so important — they’re rewriting the script.”
As the couple continues to share their life online, they say their only goal is to spread positivity. “We’re not here to convince anyone,” Cheryl said in their latest post. “We just want people to know that love — real love — doesn’t care about your age, your past, or your timeline. It just finds you.”
Quran nodded beside her. “At the end of the day,” he said, “people can talk all they want. But we’re the ones who go to bed happy — and wake up together.”
