The young man I’m dating recently told all his friends at a party that he’s dating someone new, they asked to see my Instagram and asked to see how old I am and they were shocked but giving him high fives and were very supportive.

When I’ve been telling my friends about him, specifically male friends are so unsupportive and think I’m dating down simply because of his age. It made me cry a lot after one of these conversations last night.

We are both highly desirable people who get hit on a lot, I definitely have my pick of the litter but I chose him because I love his character, that’s something people can’t change really. Everyone keeps telling me to date someone older and well off who can take care of me but that’s what I’ve always done and I can take care of myself.

I am bringing him to Halloween party where a lot of my friends will be attending and I’m both excited and nervous. My best friend is the only one who’s been really supportive and I think it’s because she knows me so well, but she won’t be attending 😭 I just hope people aren’t openly rude or hostile and can see past his appearance and see what I see inside of him.

Some of these people I know have had crushes on me in the past and I just wonder if it’s more to do with me not picking them and picking a younger hotter guy, which I never go for.

I am partially venting and also asking for advice on how to traverse through this challenge. I am definitely prone to anxiety and am a huge ruminator and just need to hear some nice encouragement, especially after last night.