Age Old Questions

For a few months I’ve been dating an incredible woman and I can honestly say this is by far the best and healthiest relationship I’ve ever had. The problem is that I’ve kept her a secret from my friends and family because of our age difference. She’s 18 years older than me, and I’m afraid of the negative reactions.

You say that this is the best and healthiest relationship you’ve ever had, and it takes most people a lot of effort and bad dates to reach a point of saying those words. Isn’t that success worth celebrating? If you believe this woman is “the one”, isn’t it worth screaming it from rooftops? Let go of the fear and grab onto the future with this lady! Go public, and do so with a gigantic smile.

There will always be someone out there who’s critical of our new partner… “too short”… “too fat”… “too young or old”… it happens to everyone on some level. Those reactions are their problem and not yours. Your true friends will see how happy she makes you and will be happy to celebrate your new relationship.

I’ve been partnered for 15 years, and the last five have been miserable. The love and affection have simply vanished and I believe it’s beyond repair. I confessed this to my closest friend, and his response was to suck it up because I’m too old to find happiness elsewhere (I’m 55). Am I really too old?

I really want to think you caught your bestie on a bad day otherwise my reaction is that he’s a misguided schmuck. It’s never EVER too late for a happy ending, and anyone who believes this is horribly incorrect.

If you’re not happy, do something about it. If it means working on your current relationship to get it back on track then do it. If it means starting over, then do it. Happiness isn’t age-restrictive; it’s about being brave enough to find it. Deep down you’re brave enough to change your unhappy.

Finding happiness in a relationship isn’t about age at all- it’s about action. Regardless of which option you choose it will take work. Do so knowing that it won’t be a cakewalk, but the end result will be sweet and oh so worth it.

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