A mom-of-seven has admitted that she has been branded a pedophile for marrying her son’s best friend – who is 25 years her junior.
Amy Sparks, 46, met her 21-year-old husband, Bryce, through son Aydin, also 21, and has been facing fierce backlash ever since.
The Michigan-based mom confessed that Bryce and Aydin began their friendship at 13 years old, however, Amy only met Bryce when he was 17.
Upon meeting Amy, Bryce was instantly infatuated with her and confided in his best friend, who encouraged him to go for it.
However, Amy rejected his advances because of the 25-year age gap.
Bryce remained persistent and eventually won Amy over, and the lovebirds began their romance in February 2022.
Three months later, the couple moved in together, and began telling friends and family about their relationship.
Despite being in love and happier than ever, Amy and Bryce have faced a flood of criticism from friends and family who have even accused the mom of being a ‘pedophile.’
A mom-of-seven has admitted that she has been branded a pedophile for marrying her son’s best friend – who is 25 years her junior
Recalling the moment she learned Bryce had feelings for her, Amy said: ‘When he said he liked me, I was flattered and surprised, but I rejected him because I thought he was too young for me.
‘It took him two years to convince me.’
She has fired back at trolls who have slammed her relationship.
‘People have called me a pedophile, but I wasn’t introduced to Bryce until he was 17,’ Amy said.
‘When people call me a pedophile, it doesn’t make me feel bad because I know that I’m not.
‘The people who know me know that it’s not true.’
Bryce also chimed in to share their love story while hitting back at critics.
‘Me and Aydin have been friends since we were in seventh grade,’ he added.
Amy Sparks, 46, met her 21-year-old husband, Bryce, through son Aydin, also 21, and has been facing fierce backlash ever since
The Michigan-based mom confessed that Bryce and Aydin (seen with his mom) began their friendship at 13 years old, however, Amy only met Bryce when he was 17
‘I started to develop feelings for Amy just before I turned 18. I was coming around to her house a lot.
‘I wanted to be around her and I was attracted to her, but she wouldn’t even consider it because I wasn’t of legal age.
‘When I turned 18, things progressed.’
Bryce remained persistent and eventually won Amy over and the lovebirds began their romance in February 2022
Three months later, the couple moved in together, and began telling friends and family about their relationship
‘I became more open to a relationship but the age gap bothered me so I didn’t reciprocate straight away.
‘I’ve been through a lot of hurt in the past. I wanted someone who’d love me unconditionally and be faithful.’
Despite falling out with family and friends, they decided to get married in October last year in front of Aydin and one witness.
Amy said: ‘We were living together which means we were living in sin so we decided to get married.
‘We wanted it to be simple and legal. We’re really happy living together.’
Bryce revealed that there were benefits to being with a ‘mature’ woman even though he’s had to accept that he’ll never have children of his own.
He said: ‘I’m completely fine with not having kids. I realize having kids is a lot of stress. Amy doesn’t make illogical decisions like a younger person would. She’s more mature and makes mature decisions.’
Amy also gushed about her spouse’s personality and explained why the age gap wasn’t an issue.
‘He’s wise for his age, he’s an old soul. He’s still young, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not like other 21 year olds,’ she said.
He admitted that the relationship ‘comes with negativity,’ and he has to defend his wife from friends and trolls.
Bryce said: ‘At first, Aydin said he would be fine with it. When it came out for real, he was uncomfortable about it but he didn’t feel like it was coming from him.
‘My family isn’t happy about the relationship. A lot of my family was very upset. It took time for a lot of people to accept it.
‘When people say horrible things about Amy I do get upset. It comes with a lot of negativity.
‘You don’t want that to happen to your wife.
‘All I can do is say it’s not true but it’s my word against theirs.’
Amy confessed that it was her son who pushed her to give his pal a chance as she explained that she was wary of beginning a new love affair.
The mom-of-seven said: ‘I was watching a sermon and the pastor said that God tried to give us gifts and we don’t always accept them because they aren’t how we pictured our life should be.
Upon meeting Amy, Bryce was instantly infatuated with her and confided in his best friend, who encouraged him to go for it