Is it so bad?

Guy is older than his girlfriend, to the negative of his friends

Finding someone you really enjoy spending time with and caring about is tough enough as it is, however, factor in a friends group who are overly negative about your choice, and things get more difficult. The key is to either work through it, or just not bypass their concerns.

Case in point: Mike and Jenna. They met while Jenna was working at a local restaurant, and Mike and his friends, were regulars. Even during her non-working hours, Jenna and Mike would communicate, talk about things, and occasionally have lunch together. They enjoyed each other's company even though her severe, model-gorgeous beauty, along with his average or so looks, spoke of "What is she doing with him?" to many who saw them out and about. He, himself thought the same at times. "She's so unbelievably beautiful. Yet, she's out with me?". Still, they continued.

Mike's friends group often inquired regarding he and Jenna's relationship, tell us you're not "with-with" her, you know she has a history, etc. Yes, he knew, and such didn't bother him. He and Jenna discussed it early on. Mike was no angel, himself, so figured it all evened out. His friends also had issue with her age.

"She's how much younger than you?" they'd ask, with a hint of derision. "It's, what, 15, 18 years?" they'd wager, acknowledging Jenna's incredible beauty, yet, the years of difference.

Tiring of dodging the questions one night, mike offered an honest response.

"15 years, yes" he flatly stated. "Not 18, not 20 years..15..And it's not bad" Mike spoke in support and bit of defense.

The somewhat derisive comments continued, passive-aggressive in nature but understood by Mike. Thing is, he was growing closer and deeper with Jenna than anyone knew, and he preferred her company over theirs. Sure, they'd all hang out together sometimes after Mike and Jenna's "date night", but Mike could have easily bypassed those times in favor of alone time, all the time, with Jenna.

Jenna felt the same.

"Do we..Have to go see them tonight?" she asked Mike as he drove following a steak dinner. "It's up to you, but, I'd be just as happy going back to your house, throwing on my shorts and ratty tank top, and hitting the couch. Just us" she suggested, much to his liking.

"Not at all. I like your idea better" he replied, taking her hand in his. "Just us tonight, no Smitty, Bri, or Ellie..Just Mike and Jenna".

"Good..I like when it's just us. And I want to kiss you, right now. We are a..We" Jenna stated as Mike stopped for a red light. Their lips connected, followed by a sly smile. Jenna's eyes were so bright and beautiful, her smile so wide, that Mike knew he was done for.

The remainder of the evening involved a movie and unification of their now-increased relationship. Both were never happier, years difference meaning nothing. It was all about them now. Mike and Jenna. In that manner. Mike & Jenna. Not separate, together.

When his friends found out, the derision flew like gnats on a hot night. Mike, hand in Jennas and feeling the joy that only new love provides, turned to Ellie, whom he'd been friends with for a decade, and asked "Is it so bad that Jenna and I now one?". For the first time in a decade, Ellie had no immediate answer for Mike. It was quiet acceptance of this 15 year age difference relationship. When Mike proposed to Jenna and she happily accepted, the first friend Mike told was Ellie. And who was first to arrive for the wedding? Ellie. The others arrived later, however, maintained their dissatisfaction with the relationship.

Mike then asked Smitty a direct, and final "Is it so bad I married the woman I love so much?"