I have read this for the first time, and love all the replies !
When I was 24 I dated an 18 year old - absolutely gorgeous, caring, good fun to be around, but I broke it off when he went to university - having been there myself, I know how promiscuous everyone is, and didn't want my heart broken. Maybe I should have given it a go ? who knows.
However, years ago, my mother worked with a woman in her late 50's. she lived with a guy in his mid 30's, and had been for 10 years... they were very happy ( according to my mUm ) and everyone at work was jealous of what a good relationship they seemed to have.
I never met him, but I did meet her. ( I knew the story, because my mum told me in a hushed, scandalized voice while standing in a queue in a bank )
she was wearing tight leggings - leopardskin ( bearing in mind this was about 20 years ago ) and I thought OMG... then I spoke with her, and what an amazing woman. confident, intelligent, gregarious, and didn't give a @@@@ about what people thought.
It just goes to show, everyone is different, and if it works, and both partners are getting what they need from the relationship, then, well, it works.
Last edited by Gaynor8002; 11/07/10 11:01 AM.