My granddaughter will tell you…

(Posted by Gayle)

Last weekend Ron’s daughter came to visit with her husband and three daughters.  The girls are 14, 10, and 8 & 11/12ths years old.  The youngest appears to be a “May” in the making.  She is a very outgoing little girl and cracks us up.  She gets along great with kids and grownups alike.  After the recent visit she told her mom she wanted to marry an older man like a grandfather (please note Ron is the only grandfather Camryn has ever known).  She soon stated her reasoning. Read the rest of this entry »

a.k.a. Pooling Around

(Posted by Gayle)

(Originally, written in May.)

Spring doesn’t last long here in our part of Texas. It already feels like summer, but I’m frustrated because our pool isn’t ready for swimming. I’ve been practicing pool chemistry for 9 years now and I still can’t quite get it right. Today Ron and I made one of our numerous summer treks to the pool store. I wish we had gone sooner. Today would have been a great day to get in the water.

One more time, we show up with a bottle of pool water in hand begging for HELP! Read the rest of this entry »

Indeed – certain age gap relationships may keep the grim reaper away a little longer!

(posted by Ron)

In an August 2007 article in LiveScience.com Jeanna Bryner hypothesizes that “May/December Couples Boost Human Lifespan.” That’s quite an interesting idea, particularly considering that it makes some evolutionary sense.

Ms. Brynner cites several sources to support her hypothesis, all of which seem to point in the same direction.  Although females tend to lose their reproductive capacity in their fifties men do not.  On the average men are fertile until at least their seventies and some even into their nineties.  She states that, at the time of her article, “90-year-old Nanu Ram Jogi from India reportedly became the world’s oldest father when he announced his 21st child…”  Read the entire article here.

Ron’s Commentary

Robert Heinlein is one of my favorite authors.  In 1941 he introduced science fiction fans to the Howard Family.  A wealthy man named Howard encouraged certain individuals to marry because they had living grandparents who were quite old.  His foundation then paid significant amounts for each child they delivered.  Needless to say there are some large families in the series.

Our species has been interested in extending our lifespan since we ran away from the first dinosaur.  Ira Howard may have a good idea but, until now I haven’t seen any non-science fiction studies.  Now, age gap couples are putting their oar into the genetic pool (so to speak.)

In the article noted above, we see that older men/younger women pairings often result in children.  Some quite famous examples are noted.  It hypothesizes that potent older men tend to pass on the gene for longevity to their children.  That’s only slightly more scientific than Ira Howard’s ideas but who’s to say they both don’t have something good there.

So, go for it age gap couples!  Let’s see how much you can boost our lifespan!  Wouldn’t it be ironic we if ended up being fountains of youth?!

The way to Gayle’s heart.

(Posted by Ron and Gayle)

Gayle's Beloved White Castle

We’re passing through Louisville, Kentucky on our way to French Lick, Indiana for some much needed r & r with kids and grandkids.  Whenever we head East or North, Gayle is on the lookout for a White Castle. Armed with her handy GPS it didn’t take her long to find one!

Okay folks – this might woo her, but it may not be the key to everyone’s heart.  Use caution before making a reservation!

Not if your wife is your “opponent.”

(Posted by Ron)

Is it fun to hit each other in the face?  It is if you are doing it via a WII (No, not W. W. II.  That’s wee, as in Nintendo).  We actually need another controller before we can “fight” each other, but weeee will Wii! This holiday we have bowled, played tennis, guitar and golf, all without leaving the living room.

My daughter commented on one of Gayle’s posts and part of her comment said that being married to Gayle has kept me young.  In a way she’s right.  Gayle and I do lots of things that my older relatives would have never considered.  After all, at my age I should be “enjoying” retirement, whatever that means, not playing video games.

Since we’ve begun this website and the book on May December relationships I have learned a great deal about the truths and misconceptions surrounding age-gap couples.  Many of these lessons are described elsewhere in our website.  Many are yet to be written about.

The main lesson that I learn over and over is that relationships are seldom about age.  They are about the love, compatibility and adaptability of the partners.  Do you know many (almost) 66 year old men who are learning to play a Nintendo Wii?  It appeared in the house as a 22nd anniversary present to us.  I never considered that I would still enjoy competitive video games, but I do.

So what’s this May December Secret?

Aging is often a state of mind.

Think about that if you are considering an age gap relationship.  The love, of course, is ageless.  But how about energy levels?  Interests?  Sense of adventure?  They are certainly important, regardless of your ages.

I believe successful May December relationships also provide something much different that what we are told.  Most of the research wants us to believe they are about men and women looking for father or mother figures or having mid-life crises.  That’s often true, but in my humble opinion they also provide the yin to our yang.  I’ve learned to love museums and hiking, and feeling younger than my years is the norm.

So I may have to wrap my knee before I start, but I’ve found a very good source of the exercise I need.  Playing an hour of tennis in the living room with Gayle is hard work.  I even have to get off the couch.  Our age differences once again are not an issue.  Beating her at tennis is, though.  And I will again, I think.  If I don’t I’ll get that other controller and we’ll see who’s the best boxer!