A woman has joked she “broke her partner out of the nursing home” after finding love with a man 22 years older than her.
Brooke McNelis has gone viral on TikTok after revealing the significant difference in age between her and her boyfriend.
The 34-year-old has been with Patrick Daly, 56, for nearly seven years, after meeting through his sister and step-niece.
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While people have been “grossed out” by their love, they insist it’s the real deal, and Brooke often pokes fun at the haters online.
“People say I’m a gold digger and have daddy issues,” Brooke, who works in medical sales, told What’s The Jam.

But rather than rise to the trolling, the San Diego, US-based couple retaliates with satirical clips of themselves on TikTok.
In one, Brooke dubs Patrick, who works as a CFO, her “56-year-old wallet”, while in another she jokes that she “broke him out of the nursing home” herself, sharing their birth years – hers being 1991, compared to Patrick’s 1969.
They also share online that they have been mistaken for father and daughter – something they are able to laugh off.
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But while trolls call their age gap “disgusting”, Brooke and Patrick navigate their generational difference with having “the best communication” skills.
And, according to the young woman, it pays to date older men.

Brooke said: “I’ve dated men my age and older and the biggest difference is emotional maturity and stability.
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“Older men tend to know who they are, communicate more directly, and aren’t playing games or chasing validation.
“Compared to men my age, there’s usually less ego, less uncertainty, and more consistency. “I don’t feel like I’m guessing where I stand or carrying the emotional load alone.”
As for the perks? Brooke said: “Security, intention, respect, and partnership.

“Older men are often more grounded, more supportive, and genuinely invested in building a life not just ‘seeing where things go’.
“At the end of the day, age isn’t the deciding factor character is.
“And this relationship works because it’s healthy, aligned, and makes me happy.
“It may not make sense to anyone else, but it makes sense to us.
“I’m an old soul and Pat doesn’t seem 56.”
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