Several bloggie friends have asked me to write about my husband & my relationship. They are intrigued when they learn we have a 24 year age difference. (I am 40). The truth is, our age difference has yet to play a part in our relationship.
We met when I was working as an assistant to a member of the Board of Supervisors for our local government. LeRoy (my hubby) was the Planning Commissioner for the same district, and consequently called the office a lot and we often spoke on the phone (since I was the one who answered it!)
We dated for three years before we got married. My dad was a bit concerned about the age difference, as was one of LeRoy's sons. He has 2 sons, one is 2 years younger than I am, the other is 4 years younger. The youngest accepted me right away, but the older son has never gotten over the fact that his dad married "out of his age group."
We've been married for nearly 13 years (in May). While we've had our share of issues, I can honestly say the age difference has never been one of them. We've had our share of funny moments. When LeRoy hears a golden oldie on the radio and says "Oh, remember this one?" I look him straight in the eye and deadpan "No." Then we both laugh.
One Sunday at church there was an elderly man there sitting with a woman in her 50's or so several rows ahead of us. LeRoy leaned over and whispered "I wonder if that is her husband or her dad." And I whispered back "The people behind us are wondering the same thing about us!"
LeRoy graduated college the year before I was born. He has 5 grandchildren, 1 who is older than our own children. Yet, it isn't an issue in our daily life, although it is sometimes noted by others. One of Gigi's classmates noted that her dad was younger than Gigi's half-brother. On the first day of preschool, Cici's teacher asked LeRoy if he was Cici's grandpa. But we are happy, and that's what matters to us.
We've been together for 16 years. We're just "us." There is no secret or magic to making the age difference work. It just does. I don't know why. But I pray it continues to for years to come. Happy Valentine's Day, LeRoy.
29 comments:
Happy Valentine's Day to both of you! In preparing for an upcoming seminar, I went back to Lysa T's post titled "Even a Great Husband Makes a Very Poor God". The comments that day were noteworthy, including yours on looking for a prince when only the Prince of Peace can meet all our needs. A great foundation for a happy marriage! Thanks for sharing - always.
that is a sweet story!
I love this story! MY husband is only 8 years older than I am, but people are always mistaking me for his daughter :)
You are a beautiful family.
In Him,
Beth
I am so glad I found your site again. I had stopped blogging for awhile and now I am back and going full speed ahead. I definitely will stay in touch, because you are such an inspiration. You and your hubby are so sweet together. Have A Happy Valentines Day and be with the ones you love :)
That is sweet. You made me laugh with your comment about the people behind you wondering the same thing.
You look way tooooooooooo young to be 40 (yes, that was totally meant to encourage you. I have to still make up for my other post, you know.)
Blessings and have a wonderful, great, fantastic, encouraged day!!!
Heaven
Age really doesn't matter. What matters is that you two are happy together and I can tell that you are. Happy Valentines Day to you both.
I remember when you told me that the 2 of you were going to get married. Although I knew you loved him and I knew he was a wonderful man, I voiced my worry to you about the age difference.
Your response was something I'll never forget, "Wouldn't you rather have a happy marriage for 10-20 years instead of an unhappy one for many more years?".
One cannot argue with that. And you were right. (I suppose I'll be married for 60 years..:) )--hey, when I put the little smiley face in the brackets, it looks like it has a double chin...hhmmmm
Monkeys are funny.
You are both WONDERFUL people...oh yeah...and you aren't the only one out of the 2 of you that looks much younger than you really are!!!
Aw how sweet. Honestly he doesn't look like he is that much older than you. I don't think so.
I bet that teacher was embarrassed! People often assume I'm the girls mom instead of their grandma, even when Nikki is there.
Happy Valentines Day to you both!!
Oh darn there's that foot again. You look young and beautiful Kelly!! and your husband looks almost as young in all these pictures!!! Geeez, it's just so hard removing the foot.
I love you!! :D
Actually, I think you both look younger than your ages, so it's all kind of deceptive! Happy Valentine's Day to you both.
Happy Valentines!
I love your story!
There is almost a nine year difference between me and my valentine! When God is in it...it works!
I'm back blogging...Thank you so much for praying for me and waiting patiently while we are recovering from our stoms.
You are a blessed friend in my life.
Love Pamela
great story!
Oh so sweet!! I love this story, Kelly. I have seen similar situations that have worked out beautifully. I think it's great that you can be a model for other families.
Hugs,
Susan
As long as you're good to each other nothing else matters. Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend.
What a sweet story. I think you all make a wonderful couple and have a beautiful family!
Love doesn't always happen the way or at the time we think it will, does it?!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I think you make a beautiful family. Enjoy the day together. B
Happy Valentine's Day, Kelly!!
Age is all relative, isn't is? What matters is that your relationship is God based, God centered, God focused. God obviously led you two together.
My daughter is dating someone 5 years younger than she is, and I did voice my concern about this since she is 25 and he is only 20. But, he treats her nicely, loves her, and is the best person who has come into her life for quite some time.
Beth
Happy Valentines day Kelly and Leroy!
Yall are a beautiful couple and God's obviously blessed you both.
I couldn't be happier for you.
Holykisses,
and Godiva chocolates*
Lea
You both look very young for your ages and I think age is just a number anyway. Your only as old as you feel right? Ya'll make a sweet couple.
What a great love story!
Oh, I am so glad you shared this wonderful story about your hubby and you! And it is remarkable...God is so good..."out of age range" must not matter to Him, especially since that has never been an "issue" for you! I really am delighted to have read this on Valentine's Day! :)
Honestly, you BOTH look younger than your actual ages revealed herein this post.
Thanks for sharing more of yourself with us! :) You are delightful!
Hubs and I were supposed to have a Valentine's date this evening, but our one little cherub woke with a fever this morning. Right now, she's feeling pretty good...a al Motrin. But I am wiping down everything with Clorox wipes regularly. :)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sharon :)
I always forget there is such an age difference although I tease LeRoy all the time as he teases me too but I really don't think about it. Nor do I really care. They seem just as normal as my husband and me. And, he is a month younger than me.
-ET
Well, neither of you looks your age! I had no idea you were 40 when we met. I thought you were way younger than me!
This was a fun post to read, a unique relationship that you don't hear about everyday. Thanks for sharing your Valentine with us today.
Hope you both have a fun day celebrating your love.
Hi Sis,
Happy Valentines day and I'm so glad you loved the poem *smile*.
Love is never measured by years when your in love, but by the number of heartbeats that rapidly beat when you see the the face of the one you love.
Hugz Lorie
Very interesting post about your age differences. My hubby used to tease me, saying gosh your getting old and I was only one year older than him!
I remember reading something a while ago about this age difference. Glad to see the whole story.
Age is a funny thing, isn't it? So glad it didn't keep the two of you apart!
Hi Kelly,
I stopped by from Edie's blog. So glad I did! I really enjoyed your story. My sister is actually married to an older man too....more like 30 year age difference. They've been together almost 9 years and have a beautiful marriage. What a beautiful story you have. I enjoyed my visit and will stop by again soon.
Have a great evening!
Thanks for sharing your love story!
never late to say : happy Valentine ay to both of you. Prosper in His name.
lovingly : sahala napitupulu, jakarta.
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