New man only just told me the truth

[Middletown]

Just joined although have been reading the advice boards for a while.
I met a guy just before Christmas, wasn't really looking for anything serious but we met on a night out.
I am late 30's, been single for 2 years having split from my children's dad who I was with for 20 years, this new guy told me he was 27, was a bit unsure of the age gap but really liked him so thought there's no harm in seeing what happens.
Been seeing each other since whenever possible, my kids spend equal amounts of time with myself and their dad so do get quite a bit of free time.
Still early days I know but he is everything I like in a guy, funny, smart, caring, if I could write down my ideal man he would be it, in looks as well as personality.
Yesterday we spent the day together, had a fantastic day but when we got back to mine he came over all serious and said there was something he had to tell me, crazy thoughts started going through my head so told him he should just tell me.
Turns out he's 23!!! Shocked doesn't even begin to describe how I felt.
He said he thought it would be just a bit of fun to begin with but had now fallen for me and I needed to know the truth.
I asked him to leave as I needed to think things over but in truth I knew straight away it couldn't continue, it now feels so wrong with him being so young.
He messages me this morning asking if I was ok and saying that he pretty much knows that he has screwed up but is hoping against hope I will give him another chance, messaged back just saying I need more time, can't quite come to tell him I can't do it, I feel like a total fool for believing that I had found my mr perfect.
Not even sure what I am asking here for but advice is so great on here that maybe a different perspective is needed.

Has he asked you to marry him?

Why are you thinking of the future. Just enjoy the present.

Remember

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift which is why it's called the present.

My son and his older girlfriend have 11 years between them.

She makes him happy, so I'm happy.

I detect the unmistakeable whiff of bitterness and envy in some of these replies....

He has acknowledged that he made a mistake in lying to you about his age. He probably fancied you like crazy, and thought you wouldn't give him a chance if he was honest from the start. Surely we can all understand that?

Do you like him? Does he make you happy? Do you have fun together? If the answer to these questions is yes, what on earth is the problem?

Allow yourself to be happy.

Don't be silly, Jess. Personally, I can do without liars in my life. Yes, I can understand why he lied but does it make it ok ? Not for me. Each to their own, I guess but certainly no envy here.

OP mentions that she has kids of her own who are older than this guy.

If it was me I would understand the reason for the lie but the age gap would just be much too much.

Issues like wanting kids are going to crop up I didn't want kids until I was in my 30's.

There is being happy but there is also falling in love with someone knowing it's going to end and risking ending up with a load of hurt if it's doomed it's easier to end it now although sad and thats what I would do.

dowser I do love that saying and I believe it's very true, we never know what's round the corner.
For everyone asking if he makes me happy, yes my god he does, there really doesn't feel like there's much of an age gap.
timmytime2025 it's my daughters boyfriend who is 24, she is 20 so still too close in age for comfort.
I am going to see him at the weekend as he is based a couple of hours away from me although his home town is 5 mins from mine and can't see him till then, will have a talk then, I want to throw caution to the wind and say sod it lets just see where this leads but my sensible head says we will both be just setting ourselves up to get hurt.
Appreciate all your advice, funny how other people's take on things sometimes makes you see things that weren't apparent.