I was in love with a guy who was 40, and I thought I’d found the perfect balance. He was older but not too old, fun but not immature. I thought my mom would be happy for me. Instead, when I told her, she gave me this knowing look.

“Honey,” she said, “I know you think you’ve found the right one, but let me give you some advice. Men under 50, no matter how great they seem, are still figuring out their lives. They haven’t reached the level of maturity, wealth, or experience that makes life truly smooth. Older men—they’ve been through the hardships. They’ve built their lives, and they have the ability to offer you a life with fewer struggles.”

I didn’t want to hear it. I thought love was enough, that we could work through the hard times together. But as time passed, I saw the cracks. He was still trying to get his career off the ground, still unsure of where he was going. It became exhausting, and I found myself longing for the kind of stability my mom had always talked about.

Looking back now, I can see that she was right. Older men have more to offer—not just financially, but emotionally. They’ve lived through the challenges, and they know how to make life easier for the women they love. It’s not something I wanted to admit at first, but now I understand why my mom always pushed me in that direction.