At 64, Cheryl McGregor is no stranger to controversy. The TikTok star, a mother of seven and grandmother to 18, made headlines when she married Quran McCain after a brief courtship. Their 37-year age-gap romance, which blossomed over shared creativity and mutual support, has stood the test of time with three years of marriage.

However, their unconventional love story has come at a cost for McGregor. Six of her children oppose the relationship, accusing the couple of seeking attention and questioning its authenticity. McGregor, unfazed by the criticism, remains steadfast in her belief that happiness should come first, even if it means losing family along the way.

Six of McGregor’s seven children have openly disapproved of the union, citing their belief that the couple is together for clout. McGregor revealed that her eldest child, 43, is older than McCain, while her youngest, 29, is close to his age.

In a candid interview with YouTuber Kita Rose, McGregor addressed her children’s criticism, saying, “As long as I’m happy, they should be happy for me. But they’re not, so, hey… that’s tough love.” The six children who objected to the relationship chose to cut ties entirely.

McGregor remains defiant, explaining that their negativity doesn’t deter her from living life on her terms. “It’s their fault they don’t have to be in our lives because of their opinions and the things that they say,” she emphasized.

McCain, for his part, has tried to bridge the gap with McGregor’s children, only to feel rejected in return. Reflecting on his efforts, he said, “I mean, I tried. That’s the best I could do, so…”

He also shared his perspective, expressing his disappointment in the family’s response despite his efforts to connect, “I was a stepdad to all of them, and they all showed me their true colors.” The couple also highlighted an uncomfortable double standard.

McGregor had previously been in an age-gap relationship with a white man 10 years older than McCain, yet her children did not object at the time. “I majorly feel like my ethnicity has every part to do with that,” McCain stated.

While tensions continue to weigh on their relationship, their story did not begin with controversy. It started with a chance encounter that would eventually spark an unconventional love story.

From a Chance Encounter to Marriage

McGregor and McCain first encountered each other years after McCain had worked for one of McGregor’s sons as a teenager. Their paths never crossed back then, but fate brought them together at a store, where they struck up a conversation.

This casual meeting quickly turned into a friendship, which blossomed over their shared love for dancing and creating TikTok content. Their chemistry on the platform caught the attention of followers, sparking a connection neither of them expected.

McGregor recalled the moment she realized their relationship had shifted from friendship to something deeper. “I knew when I was reading some comments, and they were saying, ‘Look how he looks at her.’ I looked and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness!’ So it went from there,” she shared.

Initially hesitant to take their friendship further, McGregor needed time to consider McCain’s feelings. McCain, however, was certain about what he wanted.

“I told her, ‘Hey, I got feelings for you.’ She didn’t want to cross that line because she said friends should stay friends,” he recalled. “But I was like, ‘Hey, we can cross that line. If you don’t like it, we can take a step back.'” McGregor eventually decided to take the risk, and the couple never looked back.

Just four months into dating, the couple tied the knot, embarking on a journey that has now lasted over three years. McCain reflected on their early struggles, “When me and Cheryl started, we had nothing. So, starting from the bottom and growing, I told her I’ll make sure she has everything.”

Since then, McGregor has embraced a life where her own happiness takes precedence, supported fully by McCain. Their relationship, built on love, resilience, and shared determination, continues to thrive despite facing relentless scrutiny from the public and their families.

A Mother’s Journey: From Sacrifice to Self-Love

McGregor’s life before McCain was defined by hardship and courage. As a single mother of seven, she fled an abusive relationship in California and raised her children on her own. McGregor worked tirelessly to provide for her family, even as she faced personal struggles, including difficult relationships in the past.

Even with her dedication to them, her children did not hesitate to cut ties with her. The six who disapprove of her relationship even prevent her from seeing their children. While the estrangement is painful, McGregor has found solace in her connection with the one daughter who supports her choices.

Her daughter is the mother of three of McGregor’s grandchildren, who embrace her decisions and have a close bond with McCain, calling him “Pops.” For McGregor, her children’s disapproval stems from a desire to control her choices, something she believes is unfair.

She has made it clear that after decades of putting her children’s needs first, she has earned the right to live for herself. McGregor shared that her children often try to impose their opinions on her life, but she no longer lets it define her happiness.

As McCain once said, “She lives a different lifestyle than when I met her. I said, ‘You were living for your kids. You weren’t living for yourself. So now it’s time for you to live for yourself and treat a queen like a queen.’ And so she will be treated like one.”

Now, with McCain’s support, she is focused on embracing her own happiness, even as she remains open to reconciliation with her children in the future.

Defying Stereotypes About Age-Gap Relationships

McGregor and McCain’s relationship challenges long-held stereotypes about age and gender dynamics in romantic partnerships. The couple has been open about the criticism they’ve faced, particularly regarding McGregor’s age and the 37-year gap between them.

They’ve noted that society often accepts older men dating much younger women, but older women in similar relationships are judged harshly. The couple has addressed accusations that their relationship is not genuine, particularly claims that McCain is only with McGregor for financial gain.

McGregor has publicly dismissed these rumors, explaining that she has no wealth to pass on. The couple insists their bond is built on mutual love and respect rather than material motives. “You can’t fake love,” McCain said in response to such accusations.

He also pointed out that their happiness should be evident in how they live and interact with each other. Despite the ongoing negativity, McGregor and McCain remain resolute in their commitment to each other.

They believe their love story serves as a testament to breaking societal norms and choosing happiness over judgment. McGregor has often reflected on the double standards they face, but she and McCain continue to prioritize their bond over the opinions of others.

Overcoming Challenges Together

Racism has also played a significant role in the adversity they’ve faced. The couple revealed that McGregor once quit her job at a convenience store after her employer refused to allow McCain to enter the premises because of his race.

McGregor worked at the store for three years and had only taken three days off during her tenure. She made the decision to leave, stating, “I’m not a racist, and I won’t work for one.”

Health has been another area where McGregor and McCain have supported each other. McGregor opened up about her lifelong battle with an eating disorder, sharing that she has struggled to gain weight for decades.

“I’ve been under 100 pounds for probably 40 years,” she said, explaining that she had to take supplements to develop an appetite. Since meeting McCain, however, she has seen a positive shift, finally reaching 109 pounds—a weight she hadn’t achieved since her pregnancies.

The couple has also faced heartbreak in their attempts to start a family together. Although McGregor cannot physically have children due to her age, she and McCain have pursued surrogacy as a way to expand their family.

Unfortunately, they were deceived by a few women who posed as potential surrogates, causing financial and emotional strain. Despite these setbacks, the couple remained hopeful and eventually found a surrogate mother.

They shared their joy during a gender reveal party, announcing they were expecting a baby girl through a TikTok video. The couple has amassed 4.9 million followers on TikTok, where they share glimpses of their lives and respond to critics.

In one viral video, a follower asked McCain why he “goes so hard” for McGregor, despite their age gap. He responded with a video featuring the lyrics, “I wanna feel alive; I don’t even wanna die anymore,” expressing how Cheryl McGregor has brought positivity and meaning into his life.

The video highlighted their deep bond and his devotion to her. Their love story remains a testament to perseverance and authenticity, reminding the world that love knows no boundaries.