Meet the newly married couple, Almeda Errell from Sevierville, Tennessee is the bride aged 71 and Gary Hardwick aged 17 - just turned 18 - is the bridegroom.

Almeda, who is the mother of 4, lost her husband Donald in 2013 and after that she lost her son Robert who was 45. Being completely devastated and lonely, Almeda was in search of a soulmate. When grieving pensioner Almeda Errell went to pay her last respects at her son's (45) funeral, least expected, she found her love - Gary Hardwick aged 17.

She couldn't stop thinking about Gary. She didn't realise that the feeling was mutual and as soon as he broke up with his girlfriend, he raced round to Lisa's to confess his love for Almeda. Following a whirlwind three-week romance, she and Gary Hardwick – now 18, tied the knot in a ceremony which he arranged for just $200 (£137) in six days.

Gary had a crush on his teacher at the age of 8 and since then, he started getting attracted to older women. Gary got married to a woman aged 77 years. Gary was quite depressed since he couldn’t cope up with his 77-year-old wife as they had lots of fights and arguments.

Almeda and Gary consummated their marriage on the wedding night. Gary says “It was wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. She really is my dream woman and the physical side of our relationship couldn’t be better.” Almeda said that it was the best experience ever. The couple shares Almeda’s 5-bedroom house now with one of her grandsons who is 3 years elder to Gary.

Almeda said that she wasn’t looking for a young man, but Gary just came her way and she got attracted. Earlier some of her family members didn’t approve this and said that Almeda was crazy. But she made them realize how much she loved Gary.

By Premji