Age is more than a number

We tell ourselves that age is a number when we are trying to cross generational gaps — date someone way older or way younger, mingle professionally etc.

But age is not just a number; age is life, experience, expectations, exposure, hurts, coping mechanisms, traditions, culture, taste, norms and more.

Some songs belong to Boomers — play it all you want from your car stereo, it does not have the same story as when your Grandpa and Grandma flipped the club upside down dancing to that song. You know the lyrics and heard the stories but they lived the story and experienced the lyrics.

Why does this count romantically? You will not successfully date someone whose age and peculiar experiences you refuse to acknowledge.

Both parties from different age brackets will need to go beyond their age comfort zone to mentally and emotionally meet their partner halfway — learn the language, music, expectations, drama, chaos, stories and experiences of their time.

Your friends cannot be deleted because you have a partner. So, at some point, you will have to teach them (your partner) how to fit in with your community and vice versa but you will both have to set standards within your community that say “You dare not disrespect my person”

The illusion that age is just a number has brought people into relationships where they realize they are not sexually, and emotionally on the same plane even though their intellectual conversations are flawless.

Before you jump in, ask yourself if you can bear the consequences.

Mortality rates and health issues are also worth paying attention to. This will help you both to navigate dieting, sex styles, enjoying the present, parenting etc.