Influencer Minea Pagni is sharing her best life advice after the 22-year-old faced criticism for marrying her 60-year-old former high school teacher. "Build your life. Chase your dreams. Never let anyone tell you who to love," Pagni wrote over a Sunday, January 11, Instagram video of herself sitting on a couch with her now-husband, Massimo, and watching him play guitar. Pagni expanded on her advice in the caption, adding, "Build your life. Chase your dreams. Become independent in your work, in your success, in who you are. And protect your heart from other people's limits." She continued, "Independence isn't just about work or success, it's also about choosing your own happiness. Not the love people expect. Not the love that looks familiar. But the love that feels true to you. You don't owe explanations for the way you love. You only owe yourself honesty." Celeb Couples With Big Age Gaps: Monica Garcia and Braxton Knight, More Pagni tied the knot with Massimo in December 2025 after the pair initially met five years prior when he was her high school philosophy teacher. Though nothing romantic happened between them at the time, the pair reconnected two years ago and began dating. "I had a crush on him back in high school. Nothing ever happened - he was just my teacher, and then life went on," she wrote via Instagram on January 7. "When school ended, we lost touch completely. Years passed. Different lives, different paths. And then ... two years ago, by pure chance, we ran into each other in a bookstore. No plans. No timing. Just the right moment. Life has a funny way of bringing people back together when it's finally allowed to 🤍." Social media users have criticized the couple's 38-year age gap as Pagni has documented their romance via Instagram, where she has more than 250,000 followers. Pagni responded to the criticism in an interview with the New York Post published on Saturday, January 10. How Golden Bachelorette Joan Set Her Own Rules for Fantasy Suite, Finale "Reducing a woman's choices to money is one of the oldest and most unfair stereotypes. I have my own goals, my own work, and my own independence. I married him for who he is - his mind, his values, and the way he loves," she said. "I knew not everyone would understand, but I wasn't fully prepared for how intense some reactions could be. Still, I've learned that criticism often says more about society's fears than about our love." Pagni also clapped back at comments speculating that she married Massimo for wealth, as some users thought they spotted a Rolex watch on his wrist. Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Wife Thinks Discourse Over Age Gaps Is 'Strange' "He doesn't own, wear, or even desire a Rolex," Pagni told the outlet. "He has two beautiful watches, one of which I gave him as a gift, and he values them deeply. ... I was captivated by his intellect, his sunny personality, his values, his boundless love for knowledge and learning, his curiosity about every aspect of life and his lack of prejudice." Though Pagni said her parents did not initially approve of her relationship with Massimo, they eventually came around. "Once they saw how respected, supported, and happy I am, they trusted my choices," she said. "Today, they see the love and stability we share."