My aunt and uncle are 20 years apart. My uncle is 3 years younger than my grandmother... called my grandparents "MOM & DAD"!

They've been married for 28 years and are very happy.

If you're happy, go for it. Love doesn't know age.

Something I have done in the past... that worked out well... depending on the girl you are seeing... introduce her as a friend. Keep it platonic while the kids are around.... let her spend time with them once in awhile... go to Chick E Cheese or invite her for "Family Board Game Night"... show her what a great time you have as a family. It isn't just the kids needing to acclimate to the change, but also the girl. In making it platonic in front of the kids, if it doesn't work out, you can always write a letter and mail it to the kids after the fact (pretending to be her) and making up an excuse like "I'm sorry I can't come and visit, but I had to move to another city for my job... be good for your dad" type thing.

Just a thought.

Parenthood is not for everyone.
And the insta-family is a real tough one... especially i most cases where the ex is still involved.

Let your kids be the factor that decides keeper or not. If she sticks around, knowing full well about the kids, chances are you've got one worth keeping...

If she runs... well, you owe more to yourself and those kids.

I'm a firm believer in the all-or-nothing, package deal. It has happened in the past where I have had a real connection with someone... but he did not want to commit to me AND my kids... so I showed him the door. It sucks... but the kids were in your life first... and they will be in your life no matter what... better to not lose sleep over somebody who is too blind to see how great they are.

Anything is possible... you just gotta be willing to find the needle in the haystack. In your situation, a girl like that will probably NOT be falling in to your lap... it is something you are going to really have to put effort into finding.

Good Luck. I think you will need it.

My advice... wait.
Plain and simple. My son's father and I met (face-to-face) when I was 17... he was 19... we kept in contact but were not close. At my age of 19, he and i started dating... and 3 months later we got married thinking we had chemistry. A month later I was pregnant with my son... we were separated not even 2 years later and divorced the summer after our separation. My son is 7 and never really got to know his father because his father won't have anything to do with either of us.

I rushed into something stupidly... I was young, alone and naive... thought because he said he loved me, he did. If I saw my 19 year old self today, I would tell me "You're too young to know what you're doing. Wait it out"... "Don't jump the gun prematurely"...

Oh, yeah... failed to mention this guy... he was 22 at the time and sleeping with my brother's ex gf who was 16 at the time. They have a kid together who was born the day after my son's 2nd birthday.

If this guy is your age... you're both WAY too young to be moving cross country for some grand love that is less than even a month old. Give both of you time to grow... but don't sell yourself out because of a few really great conversations.

Best of luck.

LDR's work fine at first. It gives you a chance to get to know each other. And you're only state away... that's easy. (My guy is overseas presently)

If he wants you to be that close, maybe he should move closer to you. If he can't be real with you prior to having you make such a big move... not worth it. Don't sell yourself out for someone else.

If it really is love between the 2 of you, it will find a way.

Good Luck.

TY, Cdaddy... Live and Learn... and hindsight is 20/20... if only I knew then what I knew now...ya know?

Gypsy! Too funny!
Remember the mountains of endless boobs??!?!?!
That movie was awesome!

We all start out as individuals prior to meeting our mates... let us not forget that in order to grow healthy as a couple, we must also grow individually as ourselves. NOT giving up my friends. NOT giving up being me. My guy accepts that... and if HE can accept it... no one else has any right to say anything.

I've made a great many friends here on JSH... and the fact that I am engaged doesn't mean I should bow out. The forums are great and the advice/support people give is really appreciated. I'm up front. I tell everyone "Friends Only" and my entire profile states that I am getting married soon. I am being honest... and I see nothing wrong with intermingling with people on a social basis.

I had that mindset. I changed. Well.... of course I married the guy after losing it... but then we got divorced...

I haven't been with many people. I stick to my guts, follow my heart. Not gonna do the f--- buddies or the one-night-stands or get laid to get laid...

but circumstances being what they are, if the moment is right, it's right... whether I'm legally married or not.

Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Marriage is a legal contract... nothing more. Follow your heart... go with your gut... the ethics and morals usually fall into place from there.

Not exactly Rock:
But Sugarland and Matchbox Twenty are my absolute favs.

Rock, I'd say: I like Aerosmith, Pink Floyd...

I'm eating candy, drinking starbucks and still in my jammas/// it's 4:19 pm here...

Yay for bumming around!!!

I think they're all groggy from overdosing on Turkey... and they are just now waking from their Turkey Comas!

Drink coffee... coffee makes everything better!

Good Luck Heather
Hope your holidays go well!

Umm... Chicago?
You're welcome and good luck.

I found someone... not on this site... but a different one. Be yourself. It'll happen.

I JSH... good peoples and good fun here!

Agreed.

Try being a single mom of 2 young kids- divorced twice and only 27... not easy to find someone either... but I did... and I was honest in doing so... Anything is possible.