[Source](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/digital-art-couple-silhouettes-398342/)
When it comes to relationships, perspectives and opinions vary widely. What is considered “good or right” for one person, may be unacceptable for another. This is because there’s no law that states how relationships or marriages should work. There are so many things that influence relationships, including upbringing, culture, religion, and age. Recently, I had a conversation with a friend about this subject. According to her, she can't date someone of the opposite religion due to fate differences. Yet, I have so many friends who are happy in their “interfaith” relationships. I don't want to give off the impression that I am trying to support or go against interfaith relationships , but my point is that we all have different perspectives when it comes to relationships.What works beautifully for one person may not work for the other. In my opinion, among the various factors that influence relationships, age is the least pressing one.
Growing up, I used to think it was illegal for a man to get married to an older woman. Here in my country,( and so many other countries), the common thing is that the husband is usually older than the wife. This “rule” has been in place for as long as I can remember. I don’t remember who enforced this rule, but that is just how it has been. According to my research, one of the reasons why it is this way is due to history. Centuries ago, women were seen as burdens to the family. To lessen the family’s burden, they were married off at an early age to a rich and older person. Another reason is that women like to get married to mature and sensible men.
I still remember the first time I found myself with a girl. I was just a secondary school student at that time, and she was 2 classes ahead of me, but I still had a crush on her. Despite the age gap, we’d frequently chat on Facebook. We clicked on different levels, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. However, the age gap was a big constraint that weighed heavily on my mind, causing me to worry. I often expressed my concerns to her. But she was much wiser. She'd tell me not to worry about the age gap, insisting that it was just a number that shouldn’t define our “relationship.”
Age should never be a rigid factor to consider when it comes to relationships or marriage. Maturity is not solely defined by the number of years you’ve lived, but by the way you handle situations, wisdom, character, and actions. I’ve heard stories of so many young people exhibiting maturity, while older people behave like kids showing they still have so much to learn. Instead of focusing on age, people should prioritize more meaningful factors. The one that tops the list is love. Does your partner genuinely love and accept you for who you are? How deeply do they care for you, and what lengths will they go to show it?
Another important factor to consider is compatibility. Are you and your partner on the same page? Do you share common values, interests, and goals? Do you think you can build a future together? How well can you cope with difficult situations? Truly, age is nothing but numbers. Let's move beyond age and focus on what truly matters. Love, compatibility, and connection are the foundation of a healthy relationship.