TALL/SHORT
Marketing consultant Anna Wright, 23, lives with trainee primary teacher Harry Sperring, 23, in Beaconsfield, Bucks. Anna is 5ft 1in and Harry is 6ft 5in.ANNA SAYS: When we met through friends five years ago, the first thing I noticed was Harry’s lovely smile, not his height. I often forget just how odd we look together until I hear other people’s comments.
They’re not cruel, just light-hearted quips, and people are always asking us how we manage to kiss. I say I have to stand on something or Harry lifts me up. I often get a sore neck.
People sometimes point at us and laugh, but we’re used to that.
When we walk into a country pub, there’s often a stunned silence, then a ripple of laughter. But it’s because, by that point, Harry is usually rubbing his head because he’s hit it on a beam — again.
Harry’s height affects so many things we do. Going on holiday can be difficult because flying is a nightmare — I have to book seats with extra leg room by the emergency exit, otherwise Harry can’t fit into one.
I drive a Mini, and it’s hilarious watching him try to get into the passenger seat, with his knees virtually touching his ears.
Harry’s a gentle giant, and I love watching him at work — it’s funny to see him running around surrounded by tiny children.
At some point we would love to have children, and I wonder if they will take after their father and be super-tall or take after me.
Harry loves me being petite — when he’s had a few drinks, he lifts me up with one arm. I’m used to it, but it drove me nuts at first. The height difference hasn’t affected our relationship — we fell in love with each other.
HARRY SAYS: Nearly everyone I meet is shorter than me, so when I met Anna I didn’t even notice her height. I’m used to bending down to talk to people.
When people meet us, they ask: ‘Are you for real?’ But we’ve been together so long I don’t notice people’s reactions, though there’s often a stunned pause.
I think it’s harder for Anna because she gets a cricked neck from having to look up at me. If we want a long conversation, we have to sit down.
YOUNG/OLD
Vesna Pivcevic, 41, is a film company director. She lives in London with her partner Joe Lamb, 28, who works in a kitchen design business, and their three-year-old son, Ferdinand.VESNA SAYS: I have visions of myself with grey hair being pushed in a wheelchair by a healthy and sprightly Joe. I try to banish them from my mind.
Yes, I look older than Joe, but our relationship works well, and last week he proposed after going down on one knee in a restaurant garden.
I recently plucked up the courage to ask his mother if she minded that I’m so much older than him. She sweetly said it made no difference and she was just glad to see Joe so happy.
My friends had reservations about the relationship at first. They couldn’t see what we had in common and were worried that Joe was living off me, as I paid for nearly everything. But now they can see how well the relationship works.
It’s lovely being with someone so young and energetic, but there are moments when it’s like living with a teenager and I feel as if I have two sons, not one.
Joe moved straight in with me from living with his mum, and I’ve had to remind him many times that I am not his mother.
It’s telling that the first night we spent together we had a pillow fight. Joe’s a kid at heart, and we spend a lot of time giggling and messing about. He keeps me young.
We met at a club in London through friends. I nearly died when he said he was 23. I told him I was 35 and waited for him to back off, but he didn’t. I was a single career woman with my own flat, while he’d just returned from back-packing round the world and was living with his parents. He was blond, tanned and so good-looking.
He moved in with me quickly and my friends were horrified, especially as he didn’t have a job. Even today, our sets of friends rarely mix.
I worry that, as we grow older, the age gap may become more apparent. But we’re a family and I’m sure marriage will make us even closer.
JOE SAYS: When I met Vesna, I didn’t think about her age, I just thought: ‘Wow! She’s gorgeous.’
When we got together, I felt proud of being with someone so attractive and sophisticated. My friends were impressed, too.
I was immature, so all credit to Vesna for steering me on to the right path. Sometimes the differences between us are apparent — we have different tastes in music.
I feel that as we get older, the age difference becomes less pronounced. Having a child together is a bond, and getting married will be so exciting.
THIN/FAT
Actress Sarah Chaney, 35, is married to Gareth, 40, who works for the Civil Aviation Authority. They live in Crawley, West Sussex. Sarah is 5ft 1in and weighs 16st 7lb. Gareth is 6ft and weighs 11st 7lb.SARAH SAYS: I’m a dress size 26 and wear a 42DD bra. I’m self-conscious about my size.
Gareth says he loves the person inside and thinks I’m gorgeous whatever size I am. I know I have a pretty face, but I have moments of intense self-doubt.
I know the difference in size means we can look comical together, but I try to ignore people’s hurtful comments. I was out recently when some idiot shouted at me: ‘Who ate all the pies?’
Gareth and I eat the same amount, but he never puts on weight.
I prefer healthy foods such as salads and vegetables, while he eats crisps and chocolate, but doesn’t put on weight. He just burns it off, as he has a fast metabolism, while I don’t seem to burn off calories at all. I was a size 10/12 until I was in my 20s, then I started to put on weight. Whatever I did, nothing made any difference.
People often say I look like Dawn French — which is a compliment, because I think she’s fantastic.
I met Gareth in 1996 at drama school, and we married in 2004. He is my soul-mate and best friend, as well as my partner. If it wasn’t for him, I’d have less self-confidence. I know Gareth loves me as I am.
GARETH SAYS: The first thing I noticed about Sarah is her fabulous smile. She’s bubbly, and I was drawn to that. I didn’t notice her weight, and to this day it’s not an issue for me.
The only way it affects me is when she worries about it. I think Sarah should be more confident. I’m constantly telling her she’s beautiful.
The fact she’s shorter than me makes me feel protective towards her, and I want to protect her from any hurtful comments. I used to be self-conscious about my height and how thin I am, so I stooped. Now, thanks to Sarah, I walk tall.
PLAIN/CUTE
Sheila Gooding, 40, is an administrator and her mother’s carer. Her husband Daniel, a trainee engineer, is 31. They married in 2007 and live in Essex.SHEILA SAYS: When we’re out together, people do a double-take.
I know he’s cute and I’m not — I try my best, but looks are not my strong point.
I’m just so glad Daniel can see the person inside and isn’t bothered about outward appearances.
People have said horrible things such as: ‘How did you get him?’ I try to ignore the nasty comments, but they hurt.
When we met seven years ago in a pub, we hit it off immediately. I think Daniel wanted someone to look after him and make him feel secure. I’m a confident, organised sort of person.
Our relationship works well because we like each other and share the same interests.
Looks are not important, and we’re the living proof of that.
I do what I can with my appearance and wear young-looking fashion to keep up with Daniel.
I know people think he’s much more attractive than me, but that doesn’t matter to him. It matters to me, though. I sometimes feel insecure, but then I tell myself I’m being silly.
I trust my husband, and we’re lucky to have such a good relationship. It’s who people are on the inside that matters.
DANIEL SAYS: Sheila and I were friends before we became lovers, so I got to know her first.
I have never been influenced by how people look, though I do think Sheila has beautiful eyes.
From the start she struck me as a strong, confident person who was compassionate.
I was lacking in confidence when we met, while Sheila was fun, witty and articulate. I drew on her self-confidence, and we fell in love.
No one understands me like her. She’s been the rock who’s given me such strength. Our relationship gets stronger, even if we might look like a mismatched couple.
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