A 69-year-old man married a young Filipina. Here’s what happened. Photos included

Joe Evers met his wife in the Philippines. He met his future sweetheart on social media because they had mutual friends. They chatted online, and then Rona visited him in the Netherlands. They got married soon after. Joe is married for the second time. He has two kids from his first marriage. His family and friends were unhappy about the age difference, so they cut off all contact after the wedding. "I'm divorced with two kids, so it was a big change, but this is my life, and they don't accept it," says Evers. His relatives still think the girl only started dating him for money and a visa. He says his relationship with Rona is genuine and based on feelings, not profit. "This is a love story, not a scheme." It's a love story. "It's hard to believe, but we love and understand each other," he says. The couple lives in Rona's hometown of Bacolod, where the age difference is not seen as an issue. "Age is just a number." People think we're together for money or a visa, but Rona has only asked me for cash to help people. We don't let others get to us. This is our life, and we're happy. The age difference is acceptable. "Rona is happy to have a balanced partner who loves her," says Joe. Evers thinks people's negative comments about his young wife are just envy. He says people who judge them want to be happy like them, but they can't. "It's jealousy, but we're happy. "It's better for her and me," he says. "My family is supportive of our relationship. Age differences are common in the Philippines, so people are always supportive. I don't care what people say. I love him. "We're good people." "We love and care for people and want that love back," says Rona.