Fossil here

Hello,

I'm an over 50s guy in love with a 20s lady, and have grown accustomed to the stares and comments. I recently told my envious older sister to visit a very warm place. It's not the first time I got squawks about a relationship, so it's fine with me.

The only problems we have are the LDR struggles.
We cry. So what else is new?

This site seems well-run and supportive, so as I stumble along my new path, I may need a hand or be able to lend one.

Welcome, here you will find a very supportive group.

:)

I'm a 49-year-old man, and I recently started seeing a 26-year-old woman. Well, I've been "seeing" her for a while, since we've been good friends for a couple of years, but just recently it went beyond that.
I'm separated, but my divorce isn't final yet (it will be when my wife signs off on the settlement agreement--hopefully very soon), so we've been trying to keep it low-visibility. Several people have thought she is my daughter, which doesn't surprise me I suppose. I'm not that sure of how to handle that, but I try not to let it bother me. We have discussed it, and It doesn't seem to bother her as best as I can tell.
When I left my wife, I planned on avoiding any relationships for at least 6 months or longer, just to get my new life together. I had to leave and file for divorce to save myself. I'm basically a pretty laid-back and happy person, and not much really bothers me. My wife became a more and more negative and cynical person over the years, and could never seem to be happy or even not miserable at any time. It became a situation of verbal and emotional abuse, I guess as her means of trying to make me feel as bad as she did. I tried to help her, but nothing worked.
I was working late one night last year, and it was almost 1 AM as I was about to leave the office. I remember thinking to myself that I dreaded going home--I would have preferred to stay at work. I felt like a prisoner on work release who was going back to their jail for the night. It hit me then that that was not really a marriage, and I had to get out. I moved out the following week, and after some thinking and soul searching, filed for divorce in January after 20 years of marriage.
I'm doing very well now. I'm happy, and at peace with myself and the world. I call it my midlife awakening!
I'm not sure where my current relationship will go, but I'm happy to enjoy it for whatever it is at the moment. I do have one concern, and it's too early to even worry about it really. My 17-year-old daughter lives with me (my previous home was not a happy one for her either). She's a good kid--smart, very good student, nice, responsible, etc. She's doing well now too. She did recently tell me that she didn't mind if I dated, but she asked me not to date anyone young enough to be her sister. She doesn't know about Katie and I, other than that we are friends. She has met Katie, but doesn't know we are now romantically involved. How do I handle this situation if the relationship lasts long enough and progresses to that point? Any advice? My daughter is very mature and reasonable, and I know she would want me to be happy, but I know this could be difficult for her.