Age Discrepancy Stories Generate Lots Of Feedback

Dear Readers: Last week, I printed several letters about men who had married older women and vice versa. You may recall that some of those marriages worked out well. Others were disastrous. Well, folks, the mail continues to be overwhelming. I had no idea the subject would be of such intense interest. Keep reading for more:

From Somewhere in Oregon: I am 15 years older than my husband. I resisted his advances because of the age difference. He insisted it meant nothing to him, but it still bothered me a lot. I had two adult children and was told I could never have any more. My husband said it didn’t matter. Lo and behold, at 51 years of age, I became pregnant. That child is now nearly 3, and he is the light of our lives. We are crazy in love and couldn’t be happier.

Williston, Vt.: When I returned from out of state two years ago, my car was vandalized, and the investigating officer was very helpful. We started talking, and he invited me to have a beer. Then, he asked me how old I was. When I said, “Twenty-four,” he said, “It won’t work. I’m 45.” He called me several months later to say “Merry Christmas.” After a long conversation, I said, “You’re a fool. You don’t know what you’re missing.” He said, “You could be right. How about dinner next week?” After that one date, we decided we were right for each other and got married. The only time I feel the age gap is when he plays his kind of music. It’s so square.

Tucson, Ariz.: I am 52. My husband is 35. When we married, I had three teenagers. When I was 40 and “Tom” was still in college, we had a daughter who is now 12. Age never mattered in my family. My grandmother is 96, and her husband is 77. They’ve been married 50 wonderful years.

Billings, Mont.: I was 50 (but looked 40) when I met a tall, handsome man of 33. We had a terrific romance, but he caved in to the pressure of family members and stopped seeing me. Today, he is engaged to a woman who is five years his junior. I have two children older than his fiancee. I was really crazy about him and am sure we could have made it if he hadn’t listened to the busybodies.

Cincinnati: When I was 19 and a junior at Ohio State, I met “Reginald.” He was 37, established in business, attractive and attentive. My mother said he was “very nice” but too old for me. I wouldn’t listen. When Reginald gave me a diamond engagement ring the size of a hen’s egg, I dumped my 22-year-old steady and married Reggie. After a year of heartache and regret, I divorced him and married my old boyfriend, who was really my true love. Six months later, Reginald married my mother. Embarrassing? Not at all. We often double-date and get along beautifully.

Gem of the Day (Credit Adm. Hyman Rickover): At any given moment during a 24-hour day, one-third of the people are asleep. The other two-thirds are awake and creating problems.

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