I am now 40, and my boyfriend is only 22.
I am 40, divorced once, and have no children.
For the years after my divorce, I poured almost all my energy into work.
During the day, I attend meetings, travel for work, and work on projects.
When I get home at night, I eat alone and watch TV alone.
Over time, I seemed to get used to that quiet single life.
Until last year, I met him (this 22 age boy friend) at the gym.
That day, I had just finished running and was exhausted.
As I was getting off the weights, he suddenly came over and he said, "Sister, do you want to try this weight and this posture? It's less likely to hurt your back."
At first, I thought that he was a trainer, but later I found out that he was just a student from the neighboring university who enjoyed working out.
After that day, we occasionally bumped into each other at the gym.
Sometimes we worked out together, sometimes we chatted for a bit.
I always treated him like a younger brother.
Until one day, he suddenly asked me very seriously, "Sister, do you have anh boyfriend?"
I hesitated for a moment and said no.
He asked again, "Can I pursue you?"
I almost burst out laughing.
I'm 40, he's 22—the age gap sounds like a joke.
I told him, "At your age, you should be dating girls around your age. Do not waste your time on me."
He calmly replied, "But I like you, not your age."
I thought it was just a passing fancy.
But for the next few months, he texted me almost every day.
Sometimes he would ask if I had already eaten, sometimes he would send a picture of a dish he had really cooked, saying he would cook for me next time.
One time I worked late and only realized it was pouring rain when I left the office.
Just as I was about to call a taxi, he called and said, "Wait for me outside at the company gate."
Twenty minutes later, he showed up on a small electric scooter, completely soaked.
I was starting to waver then.
We got together.
But honestly, I was very insecure at first.
I am 18 years older than him, and almost everyone around me disapproves.
All of my female Friends advised me, "Do not really get too involved; he will find a younger woman sooner or later."
Once, his classmate even saw us eating together and asked him, "Is that your aunt?"
Hearing that really hurts.
On the way home, I said to him, "Maybe we should just break up."
He stopped, looked at me, and said, "Do you think I will leave eventually?"
I did not say anything.
He was silent for a moment, then said, "If one day I really do not love you anymore, I will also leave on my own. But right now, I am sure I want to be with you."
After that day, I seemed to slowly stop caring so much about what others thought.
We cook together, watch movies together, and go hiking on weekends.
Sometimes he seems like a child, complaining to me for ages about losing a game; other times he is incredibly mature, quietly tidying up the house for me when I am stressed at work.
A few days ago, we went to the supermarket together.
The cashier looked at us, then at him, and asked with a smile, "Are you siblings?"
I was about to explain when he casually replied, "No, she is my girlfriend."
For a moment, I almost laughed.
At 40, I seem to have long passed the age of impulsive love.
But now, I am in a relationship that is causing a stir.
Many people ask me:
"Are you not afraid?"
Actually, I am afraid.
I am Afraid of the age gap, afraid of future changes, afraid that one day we will not be able to make it to the end.
But after 40, I have realized that some relationships, if you do not try now, you might never have the chance again.
So now I just want to ask one question:
Is it really wrong for a 40-year-old woman to be with a 22-year-old boyfriend?
Can "18 yr age gap" be able to succeed?
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