Man Marries 24-Year-Old Vlogger Despite Their 30 Year Age Gap

"I waited 50 years for Mindy," 50-year-old Larry confessed. Sure enough, after stumbling across the then 20-year-old one day on the job, the cop's life has never been the same. Here's his story.

Against All Odds

On a fateful day in August, a 50-year-old cop crossed paths with a 20-year-old stranger. Since then? Their lives have never been the same. "What are the odds that we would have fallen in love?" they reflected.

Sure enough, that's exactly what happened. "We're not your normal relationship, and I'm okay with that," the couple assured. From their 30-year-age-gap to the shocking accusations they were eventually met with, here's their remarkable journey to finding love…

Meet Mindy

Long before Mindy's love life propped her front and center, the charismatic young woman already had her sights set on the spotlight. Ever since joining the world of YouTube back in 2015, the aspiring influencer spent her days behind the webcam. As for what that looked like?

From beauty hacks to "Q & A's" to everything in between, the charming blogger covered just about everything. Only as her content continued to grow, and with that, her following count, viewers soon came to a startling realization: There was indeed one topic she had yet to talk about...

Her Mysterious Marriage

"Ever since I started filming, people became curious," Mindy revealed of perhaps the only thing she'd kept hidden: As she continued to bare her life into the camera, there was something she wasn't telling us - something she'd kept carefully tucked away: Her love life.

Was there more than she was letting on? It certainly seemed that way. Perhaps that's why it wasn't long before fans did sleuthing of their own. And what they soon discovered left them scrambling with questions: A ring - a wedding ring, perched on the blogger's ring finger throughout most of her videos.

Enter Larry

Which brings us to the other half of our story: Meet Larry Mikla. Years before his marriage to the blogger became the talk of the online world, the cop's reality looked very different. He led a quiet life, taking up several hobbies like photography when he wasn't busy patrolling the streets.

But by the time August 2012 came rolling around, everything was about to change. Larry's seemingly uneventful day job was about to turn his entire world upside down. And as he raced to pick up his ringing phone, he was about to be led down a very slippery slope...

The Moment He Met Mindy

It should've been a typical day on the job. Only as 50-year-old Larry got a call about a minor car crash on the outskirts of town, nothing would ever be the same. Sure, he'd taken calls like this endless times before - after all, he was a responding officer. But this time was different.

As Larry pulled up to the scene, he was met with more than he bargained for - chaos, and then some. After two cars had collided on the road, neither was willing to take responsibility. Both parties were frazzled, racing to share their side with Mr. Mikla. Only it was what the crying, 20-year-old driver had to say that caught his eye.

He Caught Her Eye

Any guess who we're referring to? As 20-year-old Mindy looked out the window to assess her current situation, her mind was racing with questions. What had happened? Was the other driver okay? It all happened so fast. But as she watched the responding officer's car door open, suddenly a new thought popped into her head.

"He got out of the car, and I was like, 'Oh, he's cute,'" Mindy confessed of the moment Larry made his way to her crashed car. "I think maybe I have a thing for a man in a uniform." The two got to talking, and she headed back to his car to file a police report. But it was at this very moment that things took an odd turn.

Larry Asked To Take Her Picture

"I went up there, and he asked me a strange question," the confused 20-year-old revealed: Would you like your photo taken? She was taken back, and then some. Why was he offering to take her picture? But despite her sudden confusion, he was still a trusted police officer - what could be the harm?

"I was like... 'Sure, why not?'" Mindy recalled, as she agreed to the odd gesture. Little did she know, she and Mr. Mikla's time together was just getting started. In fact, as the two continued to assess the scene of the accident, they soon went on to exchange more than just pictures...

They Started Texting

"And that's how we started texting," Mindy revealed of the events that soon followed. They had exchanged info - for the crash report and insurance company's sake. After all, Mindy may have been of legal age, but she was still a child - at least where her nervous parents were concerned.

The frantic young girl had no idea where to start. What was the other driver claiming? Would she get paid for her car's damages? Would she have to go to court? She was overwhelmed, and Mr. Mikla was here to help. Only as they continued to text, soon things took a sudden turn.

They Formed a Fast Bond

"I had no clue whatsoever," Larry revealed of the shocking realization that soon followed: In the blink of an eye, the two went from strangers to fast friends. But were they more than that? The more time they spent over the phone, the more it certainly seemed that way. What was going on here?

"It was just back and forth texting, back and forth messaging," Mindy explained. And while it may have started off as two strangers reporting to the law, it certainly wasn't continuing that way. Both Mindy and Larry couldn't deny the feelings they were suddenly being met with. Perhaps that's why it's no surprise what came next...

Their First Date

The two were confused. They were overwhelmed. What if they were to head down a romantic path? Would other people see it the way that they did? After much deliberation, they eventually decided to meet up in person and get those answers for themselves.

"We ended up meeting up," Mindy revealed of their first date. Safe to say, the stakes were higher than ever before. After all, this was like nothing she'd ever done. But that's exactly what she liked about it. Unfortunately, as the curious young girl was about to find out, things wouldn't be going as planned.

The Age Gap Scared Her

What went wrong? The truth was that while the sparks may have been in the air, there was another elephant in the room; something they'd have to face one way or another: There were 30 long years wedged between the two of them - and it scared Mindy, badly.

"In the beginning, I will say… I kind of got freaked out," she admitted. "I kind of panicked." When she got pulled over that fateful summer day, Mindy never dreamed of finding love with the 50-year-old responding cop. It was... confusing. As she went to her mom for some much-needed clarity, she was left even more puzzled.

Her Mother's Thoughts on Larry

All she wanted was some much-needed comfort. Only as she turned to her closest ally, her mother's words were anything but. Sure, "She didn't try to stop it," as Mindy explained. But she might as well have tried to: "She suggested I try dating some boys my own age, to make sure I was doing the right thing."

Was her mother on to something? She didn’t know what to think anymore. But what she did know was that she needed answers, desperately. And that’s exactly what she set out to get, as she embarked on yet another risky path. Only this one would be met with even more road bumps.

Mindy Called Things off With Him

After seeking motherly advice, the young girl was more torn than ever before. Her heart was swaying her one way, while her mind, another. What was she supposed to do? Sure enough, after much deliberation, Mindy decided to turn the page on Larry as she embarked on a new chapter.

What happened? Mindy began dating new suitors, something she was certain was the right choice. Just like her mom had reminded her, surely she would be better suited with someone her own age. Or at least that’s what she continued to tell herself. Safe to say, fate had other plans…

"I Would Think About Him All the Time"

She was sure that saying goodbye to the 50-year-old stranger would help ease her mind. Only she couldn't have been more wrong. The truth? Larry was seemingly… everywhere. "I found myself instantly comparing them to Larry, and they just didn't measure up," Mindy revealed as she continued to date around.

Despite the charming, young men who suddenly opened their hearts up to hers, the truth was that it was already taken: "I would think about him all the time," Mindy confessed of her time apart from Larry. "I wanted to know where he was, what he was doing - constantly."

They Began Dating

Was her perfect match under her nose the entire time? Or perhaps was she in over her head? Whatever the case may have been, Mindy couldn't fight her gut any longer. "Men like Larry are hard to find," as she put it. Which meant that while it wouldn't be easy, she simply had to follow her heart.

And as she called up Larry to give him a second chance, she couldn't have been more right. "He treats me like his queen," Mindy gushed as the two began dating, officially this time. "I fell in love with him so fast, hoping he felt the same." Little did she know, he was already ten steps ahead of her…

He Proposed

On a fateful day in August 2015, life as Mindy knew it was about to be changed forever. What happened? "I asked her the right way," Larry joked: It was supposed to be a regular stroll through their favorite park, Virginia Kendall. Only the events that soon followed were anything but...

"I got down on one knee," Larry recalled, as he asked the love of his life to marry him. Of course, the answer was easy. And while the couple had gone ring shopping weeks prior, that didn't make it any less surreal. Mindy was over the moon, and then some. But that moment of bliss was actually fleeting...

Breaking the News

Unfortunately, with their newfound bliss soon came a wave of concern: How - or more importantly, to whom - would they break the news? After all, they’d kept their entire romance under wraps (with the exception of close friends and family). Would they finally share their joy with the rest of the world?

Or perhaps, would their age gap pose too much of a risk? Sure enough, they decided to play it safe. "I called my family… my best friend and Larry's family," Mindy revealed of becoming a bride-to-be. Only as she continued to share the news with her loved ones, those former suspicions were about to hit her right in the face…

The Start of Their Troubles

"I was totally taken back," Mindy revealed of the events that soon followed. After sharing the big news on her Facebook profile, she was hit with a brutal reality check. As the fiancé began scrolling through her latest notifications, suddenly her heart dropped.

"I was like, 'Okay, so that's how this is gonna be,'" the emotional bride-to-be confessed of the hateful words suddenly hurled her way. It was the very first time their love had ever received negative remarks. Unfortunately, it also wouldn't be the last...

Their Wedding

All they wanted was to spread their love with friends and family. Only the comments now haunting their Facebook profile were anything but. Were they looking at a glimpse of their future as a married couple? Sure enough, on September 3, 2016, all of those questions suddenly vanished.

As Mindy made her way down the aisle at the dreamy Ohio State Reformatory, she couldn't wait for the future. "I looked at him, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh. This is a fairy tale,'" she recalled. As she vowed, they were gonna ride out the rest of their lives together - for better or for worse. Little did she know what that'd entail…

Tensions in the Family

Unfortunately, as they say, all good things come to an end. And for the newly Mr. and Mrs. Mikla? They found that out the hard way. From Mindy's protective brother to her parents, both 10 years younger than Larry, their romance was met with endless skeptics.

But perhaps it's how Larry's son - who was the same age as Mindy - reacted that left the couple speechless. "Bruce and I had a falling out," she revealed of the moment the newlyweds packed up their bags and headed 1,000+ miles away to Florida. Nonetheless, "There's no resentment,'" he assured.

Mindy's Big YouTube Reveal

But on October 21, 2018, Mindy and her husband were about to be put to the test like never before. After endless consideration, the blogger decided it was time to come clean. As the wife sat in front of her webcam, she took a deep breath and muttered out three scary words: Meet my husband.

Sure, Mindy's life in front of the camera was already subject to public opinion. But this time was different. The person she loved most - "the most amazing husband a girl could ever ask," as she put it - was now at risk as well. Would people feel the same way about him as she did? It was a scary thought.

Their Story Went Viral

Safe to say, their unconventional love story took the online world by storm. From a feature on Barcroft- a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing striking stories - to landing a spot on Dr. Phil’s hot seat, it wasn’t long before their story swept across the nation.

And perhaps with good reason. After all, nothing about Mindy and Larry's love story was ordinary. Only as spectators continued to study the viral couple now hijacking their screens, they had lots of questions. Which also meant it wasn't long before the comments came flooding in...

They Faced Alarming Accusations

"You're rich, she's a gold digger." "Larry is a predator." The brutal accusations hurled their way were seemingly endless. And it hurt, badly. Mindy and Larry had so much love to give, why couldn't others see it that way? Only their questions were about to reach dangerous new heights.

The more their video continued to get shared, the more the hurtful comments multiplied. But that's not all. "You don't feel safe leaving your home or being in your home," Mindy revealed of the terrifying moment that soon followed: Angry users had gotten a hold of their home address. Their personal safety was officially at risk.

Their Words for Their Skeptics

Unfortunately, changing their locks and muting their notifications could only go so far. But as the couple continued to grapple with the price of their newfound fame, they soon came to a refreshing realization: So long as they had each other, nothing else mattered.

"These people? We've never met, we don't know them - we'll probably never see them," Larry explained. In other words? "As far as whatever they have to say about me? I could care less," he realized. It was a fact Mindy soon took comfort in as well: "I'll never stop making videos," she vowed of her online endeavors.

Their Passionate Love Life

But that's not the only hurdle the Miklas have had to face along the way. "I don't know why people assume," Mindy confessed of yet another brutal obstacle they've fallen victim to: Misconceptions. Specifically, that they suffer a dull love life because of their age gap. The truth?

Life behind closed doors has been just as enjoyable for the married couple as it would be for any other, as they put it. "When you're like me, and you're with someone like her? You don't need a pill, trust me," Larry joked of their life inside the bedroom. Which brings us to perhaps our most important question...

Their Thoughts on Starting a Family

"I know you guys ask all the time… and we understand," the couple revealed of perhaps the one thought on everyone's mind: Would they ever want kids? "Look, that is the plan," Mindy revealed. In fact, as far as the wife is concerned? It's a non-negotiable: "I do think that I'd be missing out if I didn't have at least one child."

But where would they even start? "There are other things involved that need to be taken care of before," Larry explained of embarking on their pregnancy journey. After all, the police officer was now over 50 years old. Was fatherhood really something he was willing - or able - to relive?

The Truth About Their Fertility

Unfortunately, though, there was a bigger concern on the horizon, one that spanned decades: Larry had undergone a vasectomy over 20 years earlier. In other words? Having another child naturally was virtually impossible for the middle-aged man. Where were they supposed to go from here?

After endless tears, money, and painful conversations, the couple had exhausted almost every possibility. It was draining, and then some. What if they could never make those dreams a reality? They needed help. But where would they even turn? "We've come to a decision," Mindy finally revealed.

"Scared My Husband Won't Be Around"

As for what that "decision" was? After 3 failed attempts at IUI, Mindy's hope was officially dangling by a thread. "Words really can't explain how devastating it feels," she revealed. The Miklas' journey to parenthood was proving to be much harder than they ever imagined. "It's frustrating… an emotional roller coaster."

Mindy was scared, terribly so. But that wasn't the only thought keeping her up at night. "Scared my husband won't be around for my [potential future] baby," she confessed to YouTube of another concern: Her husband's health. After all, he did have 30 years over her. It was a thought she couldn't bear to face.

Moving Forward

Well, what now? Where do they go from here? Safe to say, the Miklas have taken us on one whirlwind of a ride. But despite the highs and lows, they can't wait for what the future has in store. "I believe everything happens for a reason, and I have to believe in God's timing," Mindy confessed.

Despite the heartbreak and hurdles they've faced along the way, they wouldn't have it any other way. And with plans of starting a family still on the horizon? We'd say their story is just getting started: "I waited 50 years for Mindy, I don't know how long the ride is going to last, but it was worth the wait…" Larry gushed.

Their Message for Us

When Larry Mikla got a call back in 2012 about a local car accident, he had no idea what awaited him. But upon arriving at the scene, the cop went on to change more lives than just those passengers. And perhaps we could all learn a thing or two from him.

"At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you - you have to follow your feelings," he and his wife assured. "Not everybody is going to approve, you just have to do what makes you happy." Because, after all, who knows what tomorrow could bring…