FAMILY THINKS NEW GIRLFRIEND WILL LEAVE ME

Dear Coleen

I’m a 60- year- old man and I’ve fallen for a fantastic woman after being divorced for 10 years.

We started out as friends, but then recently we both expressed to each other that we wanted more than friendship moving forward.

There’s one issue that’s worrying me – she’s only 38, so a lot younger than I am. However, she’s mature beyond her years and has a son with her ex- husband.

A couple of family members have warned me about the age gap and even suggested she won’t hang around when I’m in my 70s, which I found quite hurtful as they’ve never even met this woman and have no idea what she’s like as a person.

Can you give any advice?

Coleen says

I think if this virus has reminded us of anything, it’s that life’s too short to worry about what might happen in 10 years’ time.

So, I’d suggest you grasp the opportunity and enjoy life when you can because none of us knows what lies ahead. If someone had told me at 20 that I’d be divorced twice by the time I reached my 50s, I wouldn’t have believed it.

Yes, it’s a big age gap and, in 10 years, she might want to still go out and party and you won’t, and you’ll realise you’d be better off apart. However, you might have had the best 10 years of your life.

Be aware of the age gap and the potential issues, and discuss them, but don’t let family or anyone else make your decision for you.

Everyone has a different opinion on age- gap relationships, so you have to do what feels right for you.

Feeling this way about someone again is lovely after years on your own, but it’s also a bit scary, so it’s natural to have doubts.