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Much younger boyfriend

9 replies

DesertOrchid558 · 12/09/2018 15:31

My discussion is about my (much) younger partner and I'm interested in other people's viewpoints.....

He pursued me on a (decent, subscription) dating website and even though I dismissed him initially he won me over with compliments & charm so eventually I agreed to meet him. He is 32 and I am 53..not only is it a big age gap but he’s also a different nationality. We fell for each other at the first meeting and have been inseparable since, even though I spent the first 6 months of the relationship feeling very insecure and questioning things. He has told me he understands the age gap is not ideal but everything else is perfect, and it genuinely doesn’t bother him. However I’m an overthinker and it has taken me a long time to accept it as I would hate to be seen as a silly older women who has lost her head.

We don’t actually look different in age as he looks older and people regularly think I’m early 40’s and I do keep my body in very good shape with weight training and gym etc, plus I have a very young outlook (sense of fun and immature!). We both work hard and are really enjoying life, but I still have it going round in my head about the future, but as people point out to me I could be with someone of my own age and it go wrong. I have two grown up children who have slowly accepted him and admit he treats me really well. He says he doesn’t think he wants children but my fear is that he will be with me five years then decide he wants a family…leaving me nearly 60 and alone. I haven't dared to discuss this with him which is ridiculous as I can talk to him about anything. He's very honest and if he was to say that he may want children in the future then it would shatter me.

We decided to live together recently after nine months together and both gave notice on our current rentals and now rent a little house together, and everything is good, he is kind, hardworking, practical in the house and garden and a great chef and very affectionate. We make each other laugh a lot. He has taken me back to his home country to meet friends and family which was amazing and no-one has questioned the age gap but embraced me fully, he says they are pleased to see him happy.

I have experienced a few raised eyebrows and people who say they are ‘worried about me’ (they haven’t met him yet) but the few that have met him have nothing but good to say. He says if I was his age I wouldn’t have given him a second glance (without sounding conceited I guess he’s ‘punching’), but I love him deeply. Plus I worry about him watching me age and feel that pressure a little but he tells me I'm beautiful which is lovely to hear, although he doesn't compliment me daily - any compliments are hard won!

He treats me better than any guy my own age/nationality has in the past. A couple of people have implied he might be looking for marriage to ‘stay in the Country’ but I find that hard to believe, and now his country is part of the EU surely that couldn’t happen? He’s been working and paying tax for a couple of years now at least.
I’d be interested to hear any views/experiences.

Thanks!

OP posts:
MistressDeeCee · 12/09/2018 15:40

What's the point in overthinking about the future? You're not going to live forever. You're catastrophising and overthinking instead of enjoying your relationship.

He may say he does want kids if you ask him about that. Or he may say he doesn't. Or even, say he doesn't and then change his mind.

Nothing is guaranteed in this life. & we don't know the day or hour when "lights out" will arrive either.

Or you could go all Miss Sensible and finish with him and just find someone your own age or a little older. Then hope that makes everything perfect so you won't find something else to worry about.

Robin2323 · 12/09/2018 16:00

Hi
I'm your age and thanks to good genes, exercise and a positive outlook I'm sure I cold pull off a thirty something boyfriend.
My husband was 30 when I met him (me 29) so by that age
They know what they want and are ready to settle down.
As long as he didn't want Kids and wasn't looking for a green card so to speak.
I'd say lucky lucky you x

Aquamarine1029 · 12/09/2018 19:04

Op, a man your age could suddenly decide to leave you after 5 years. His age has nothing to do with it. What matters is how he treats you, does he respect you, and are you better with or without him. My husband is 12 years younger than I am and it has never mattered. Life is and always will be a gamble. Don't ruin something that sounds wonderful due to insecurity.

tierraJ · 12/09/2018 19:09

I know several women with younger partners, also I'm 42 & find younger men attractive as well as men my age.

If it's working for you both then life's too short not to enjoy it.

MMmomDD · 12/09/2018 19:55

OP - it’s great that you are enjoying your life and your relationship. Life is to short to pass up on things that make you happy.

Obviously, this relationship has an expiration date, and I think you know that. But it may go on for a while before then.
Macron example notwithstanding - 20+ more age difference where the woman is older, is just not very likely to work out in the long term.

But - it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it now.

78Indigo · 12/09/2018 20:00

Exactly the same age difference here, although male 55 and female 34. Life is short, just enjoy!

merville · 12/09/2018 21:19

His country may be in the EU, but am I right in thinking EU member states' nationals may not have the same rights to live, work and claim benefits in the UK post-Brexit?

Also, are you financially better off than him and providing for or supporting him in any way?

Sorry to be so pragmatic but experience ...

butterballs9 · 12/09/2018 21:38

He's very honest and if he was to say that he may want children in the future then it would shatter me.

-----

This is a natural way to feel, given the circumstances. But the thing is no-one can predict the future. At any point, in any relationship, people can change their minds and frequently do. This has nothing to do with an age-gap. You could be the same age and he could still change his mind (and so could you!) at any point. The present moment is really the only time that we can be living in - the past is gone and the future is uncertain. If you are both happy - seize the moment. There are far too many people who want to bring other people down or are jealous of other people's happiness.

Enjoy the moment. Marriage is quite another matter - it has nothing at all to do with being happy. Of course people marry for love - but they also marry for other reasons. I would be wary about marriage simply because you don't have to get married to have a fantastic relationship. A person who is respectful of you and your emotions would not press anything onto you so if you feel pressurized then go with your gut instinct.

Enjoy what you have and don't let other people ruin it! Gut instinct is the way to go in my opinion.

DesertOrchid558 · 14/09/2018 11:40

Hi Merville,
I appreciate your comments - I have just researched this and it seems that anyone working constantly in the UK for a number of years has a right to stay, I can't see him ever claiming benefits as he has such a strong work ethic - has never even taken one day off... plus hasn't even registered with a GP (although I'm pushing him to do so). All the ideas I admit I had about immigrants taking advantage of our system have been unfounded since meeting him and his friends.

I'm not supporting him in any way, we split everything down the middle although he earns slightly more than me so tends to treat me more and buy more food.

So...so far, so good!

I've taken on board what everyone has said on this site and it has been really positive, thank you all, you're right, YOLO :) I'm suppressing my 'catastophrising' as time goes on and am so much better for it.

Have a great weekend everyone, love and peace x

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