August 3rd, I am blowing out the candles on my delicious strawberry cream-filled cake, everyone’s clapping and raising their cups cheering- probably because I took a while to make that birthday wish. My boyfriend’s friend asks: “How old are you now?”
“28”, I reply. Now everyone’s eyeing each other, their drunk 22-year-old-minds trying to do some basic calculations. “YES I’M OLDER THAN FOUAD” I screamed as I bashed the cake with my fists and proceeded to light the apartment on fire. No, no, no, nope. That did not happen. Just felt like adding that part to dramatize the whole situation. Actually the reaction did not bother me at all, I just smiled with cake on my face and kissed my boyfriend.
You see dear reader, love does not know any age, gender, religion, skin color, ethnicity, or any other factor people use as imaginary borders which they cannot cross over. Once you erase these lines that you squared yourself in, you will be able to allow yourself to see and feel the true beauty of the world. It is so easy to hate on things you cannot understand.
As cliché as it sounds, it is true that “age is just a number”. When I look at Fouad, I do not see a 22-year-old guy; I see my soulmate, my lover, and my best friend whose sole purpose in life is to make me happy. The handsome face, the beard, the fit body, the tattoos, and the stamina are definitely few of the many perks. Can’t complain!
While Hollywood abounds with examples of how women suffer from ageism; Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Demi Moore, and Madonna have all faced criticism for dating younger men who were decades their junior. Other notable matches like Bridgette Macron and Emmanuel Macron,15 years her junior; Katie Couric and John Molner,6 years her junior have also faced some controversy.
The term Mrs. Robinson, taken from the title of the legendary song by Simon and Garfunkel, was largely used from that time to describe an older woman who engages with men young enough to be her son. Other terms such as Cougar and MILF emerged ever since Demi Moore married Ashton Kutcher, who is 15 years her junior. However, the term is usually used for a woman who is just looking to satisfy her sexual needs, not for a serious relationship.
Samantha, a fictional character from Sex and the City, is an example of how older women’s sexual peak is compatible with younger men’s sexual peak. Thus, making them suitable partners on a physical level.
On an emotional level, a number of studies have shown that many young men prefer to date older women as they find them more mature, more free, and more independent than women their age.
The older women, like myself, who date younger men also do not find age to a be a barrier when being part of an equally healthy and loving relationship.
When it comes to age, should we care? No we shouldn’t! We have crossed those imaginary lines and left all the tabloids, rumors, gossip, and paparazzi behind. Some call us crazy, but we ladies are happy and sane as ever because younger men do make better lovers!
