According to Lynn Snowden Picket, in her essay "In Praise of Younger Men" American women "find it easy to summarily reject younger men." She then says, "Too bad. They could be denying themselves the greatest relationship of their lives." She then goes on to list all the benefits of a relationship with a younger man... no baggage, the sex, younger men grew up post women's lib so they have a much different view of women (hey... great point!)...
Now this could definitely be a coincidence, but I also happened to turn on Bethenny for no apparent reason on Friday afternoon and the three men on the panel of "experts" were all men who were in relationships with women 10, 20, 30 years older than they are. Apparently blissfully happy.
Clearly, I shouldn't just arbitrarily dismiss someone just because he is younger right?
RIGHT?
I want to believe that relationships, at their core, are about compatibility, and chemistry, and shared life goals (this is where the age thing becomes a bit more challenging)... not age.
So why the big BUT leaning over my shoulder?
I like him. He likes me. We should just meet. It's just a fucking date.
RIGHT?
I'm not Madonna or Tina or J.Lo, but still. It's just a date.
Chelle, you know how I feel about this one - love is NOT perfect ever....but I agree with the concept that "age is just a number". Trust me under the best of circumstances you will find someone that meets about 75% of your "wants" and the rest are things that are negotiable or things that in the scope of things you can live "without" and not perish....lolol. It seems as if the men I've dated have always been a little younger than me but the most was about 12 years and that was pushing it.........UNTIL, I met Tony. Not only did he make me laugh at his jokes but made me realize I hadn't laughed at myself for a very long time. He brought the joy back into my life and my heart. I was skeptical in the beginning that the 19 year age difference wouldn't matter......but when we got to the core of important things in our life and what we expected, what we wanted, what we craved in a partner and relationship.....guess what - we completely agreed and had the same views on life. I'm not saying its an easy road.....it's not. But like any relationships, we are just a couple trying to make our way through life. I will say this much though; I have learned to laugh again....not just at myself and silly antics but at life. I have also remembered who "I am" and I kind of like me......and he accepts me without question or trying to change me - - he understands that just because I being crappy or stating my opinion on something, that I'm not being a nag or trying to run his life. He appreciates having me challenge his decisions and ideas......gives him a different perspective......and things work - so much so, as you well know.....2 weeks from today, I am leaving Florida and moving to be with him in Cali. There are not guarantees in life and I don't know where this is going.....but I sure the hell am willing to give it a shot just in case "he is the one of a lifetime".....I'm not missing out on anything.......Luv you Chelle!!!! See you soon!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you Michelle. Your journey isn't just beginning, though. You've been on it for quite some time! You're an inspiration to me in so many ways!
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