“Loving each other has no time or date on the calendar when desire comes together.” The famous song Caballo Viejo, by the Venezuelan maestro Simón Díaz, could very well be the musical thread of this love story that emerged between a woman and a man in which she is 30 years older than him.

Age was no barrier to falling in love. She was single and her children loved the boy who made their mother happy. The woman is Deborah Babu, an American, whose life changed when he surprised her with love during a trip to Tanzania, in faraway Africa.

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How they met in Tanzania

It was, without exaggeration, love at first sight. Deborah, from Sacramento, California, traveled to Tanzania in October 2017 with her daughter Royce. While walking to Zanzibar Square, they came across Saitoty, who was selling souvenirs, La Nación reports.

Both replied that they did not want to, when they actually had no money. But Deborah, “a retired police officer, asked this young man if she could have a picture with him as he had never met a warrior from the Maasai tribe.”

At that moment Cupid pulled his strings. He confesses that when he met her, he felt like he had “seen an angel.”

Deborah and Saitoty exchanged phone numbers. She knew how old they both were and today, at 60 years old, she admits that it irritates them when they ask if they are grandmother and grandson.

I was a lucky single woman and it didn’t feel right to date someone 30 years younger.

Deborah Babu to The Sun

Fate had done its job. He came to the hotel to see her and continue talking. Moreover, when Deborah and her daughter continued their journey, Saitoty followed them to Jambiani, their next destination in Tanzania.

Back to the United States

Two weeks later, Deborah and Royce’s journey was over. They returned to the United States, but the relationship continued.

The 12-hour difference did not cool the relationship. They talked to each other constantly and the woman’s other two children met via FaceTime, their mother’s suitor. They also gave the go-ahead for the relationship, reports La Nación.

Encouraged by children, but inspired by love, she returned to Tanzania, where Saitoty surprised her with a marriage proposal at the end of December 2017. She said “yes,” notes The Sun.

The Maasai wedding took place in June 2018, it was a traditional ceremony; then in July 2022 the couple had a legal connection.

Deborah’s life, 60, changed radically. Deborah lives 9,000 miles (about 15,000 km) from her previous home. “She now uses her Maasai name Nashipai, lives with Saitoty and her family in Ubena, Tanzania,” and most importantly, she is happy.

“I didn’t adopt him, nor am I the grandmother”

“People ask if I adopted him or if I’m his grandmother, which can upset Saitoty,” admits Deborah.

The critics have not been lacking… “Saitoty has been accused of only being with me for a green card, which hurts because I know how much he wants to live in the United States,” says the woman.

Saitoty is in love: “She is beautiful and kind and supportive. I am proud of our marriage.”

“It really hurts me to see bad comments (…)”, says the man, who devoted himself to animal husbandry. Faced with sarcasm, he reflects: “She melted my heart. Age is just a number and it doesn’t stop the love and care I have for my wife.”