By Martin Ruffell
MEET THE twenty-year-old woman who is already a grandma after getting engaged to a man TWENTY-NINE-YEARS her senior and admits his grandchildren even call her ‘NANA’.
Photographer, Hannah Ennis (20) from Cameron, Illinois, USA, met her now fiancĂ©, Sam Pruett (49) in September 2019 when they started working together at the local sheriff’s office as correctional officers.
Believing Sam to be a âstubborn old manâ, Hannah certainly didnât ever expect romance to blossom but after spending an increasing amount of time together at work, as well as hanging out at games nights with friends, the pair realised that falling in love was out of their control.
Sharing a passion for photography, travel, movies and games, the love birds started officially dating on Valentineâs Day 2020. Both of the coupleâs families had reservations about their whirlwind romance, with Hannahâs thinking that Sam was only with her for her youthfulness and Samâs believing that Hannah was with him for his money, despite Hannah earning more than him at the time.
In July this year, the couple both decided to quit their jobs and move to Texas to start a new life together by the Gulf Sea. Then, on August 1, 2020, less than six months after first dating, Hannah proposed to Sam at their favourite spot by the ocean.
Despite Sam already having four grown up children Kyle (30), Logan (28), Jessica (25) and Samantha (24) from his previous marriage, kids are most certainly still on Hannahâs radar. Whilst Samâs children, who are all older than Hannah avoid calling her mum, she has become a step-grandma to Samâs grandchildren Lonna (12), Peyton (11), William (1) and Ellie Rose (1) and loves it when they call her nana.
The couple get odd looks when out together, with strangers often mistaking them for father and daughter â the pair have learnt to laugh this off.
âSam and I met when he first started at the sheriffâs office,” said Hannah.
âWe became great friends almost instantly. We hung out at game nights, went on little adventures, and grew closer.
âBefore we knew it, we were falling in love. And it progressed quickly from there.
âAt first dating Sam was not on my mind. I honestly thought he was a little stubborn and old. I never pictured myself dating him.
âAfter we started hanging out and I let my heart lead the way, I knew my soul needed him.
âHe also has an amazing kind hearted soul. He is the sweetest person Iâve ever met.
“Our relationship just works. There are a few little flaws such as the way we each do things, having slightly different ideas about parenting and different life experiences, but nothing major.
âOur families thought we were crazy though. Since I am younger, my family thought Sam was only with me because I am young.
âSam’s family thought I was only in it for the money, which is crazy considering when we met I was making more than him.
âOverall, everyone has come around to loving and accepting us.
âDiscussing marriage and kids has been the most difficult thing. I am twenty and want children and marriage, but Sam has four kids and was in an unsuccessful marriage that fell apart in the final years.
âHe does want to get married and have more kids, but it isnât something he is thinking about daily. We are currently trying for a little one.
âSamâs kids now have grandbabies, so I am a grandma which is pretty sweet, yet hard to think about as Iâm only twenty.
âThe kids obviously donât call me mum, but the grandkids do call me nana. Itâs like Hannah, but with a grandma twist.
âPeople donât say much, but the stares are real. My all-time favourite comment was when I was in the hospital a few months ago and the doctor asked, âYour dad is in the lobby and has asked you to come backâ. I replied, âSir thatâs my fiancĂ©â.”
Hannah believes that their relationship is much more special than her previous flings with boys her own age as Sam is less immature and more respectful than her former boyfriends.
âWe plan on getting married and having a couple of kids,â Hannah said.
âTravelling is definitely a must and loving unconditionally of course.
âWhen you see someone every day, and your heart feels happy and complete, thatâs when you know you are truly in love.
âIt doesnât necessarily mean they are your age, exact type and perfect.
âWhen you love someone, you just know it. You donât have to question it.
âEven if they are twenty-nine years older, your soul will let you know.â
