May/December love

Former out rugby star Sam Stanley would like you to meet his much older fiancee

Former English Sevens star Sam Stanley has a big announcement to make.

The 25-year-okd former English Sevens star, became the first British pro rugby player to come out as gay in August 2015. Last weekend, he made another big reveal. He’s been in a relationship with a man for the past seven years. Not just that, but they’re engaged! Oh, and the guy is a few years, er, decades older than him.

In an Instagram post, Stanley wrote:

After being a part of each others lives for almost 7 years, @lorenzo_uk has been my pretend godfather, uncle, cousin and many others in order to make sure no one found out about us and that we were a couple ? funny looking back after having come so far together. The most loving man I know and I’m incredibly happy to say we’re now engaged ?

According to his Facebook profile, Laurence Hicks is the managing director of a travel company.

In a followup interview with Attitude, Stanley explains he met Hicks on the site silverdaddies.com and that they fell in love “very quickly.”

“I’d never had the feelings I felt for him before. It was pretty amazing and I’m incredibly lucky to have met him and call him my finacè,” he says.

Related: PHOTOS: Rugby Star Sam Stanley Looks Great Playing The Guitar Naked

Stanley says most people have been supportive of the May/December relationship, but there have been a few naysayers who have made snarky remarks over their age difference. He doesn’t let that bother him though.

“I’m sure as everyone knows, you’re not doing anything right if you’re not getting criticized in this world,” he says. “Laurence and I love each other and to us that’s all that matters. We’re proud to represent the many relationships like ours.”

Scroll down for more photos of the lovebirds. Congrats to the happy couple!

Back into the Euro-Zone… La Bella Sicilia ??????

A post shared by Laurence Hicks (@lorenzo_uk) on

Beautiful day in Cefalu yesterday con il mio amore ???

A post shared by Laurence Hicks (@lorenzo_uk) on

Great evening at the end of season awards dinner! Was awesome getting to share it with this guy! @lorenzo_uk

A post shared by Sam Stanley (@samstannerz) on

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