Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999.

Dear Ann Landers: You asked your readers for their views on older women marrying younger men and vice versa. I was married for 28 years to a man my own age. He divorced me and married a woman who was younger than our children. Since then, I have dated men of all ages. The older men I went out with seemed to have no sense of humor and very little passion for life. Many wanted a nurse for their old age and treated me like a dumb blonde.

I am now dating a man who is 10 years younger than I am. He is confident and sure of himself. He is not controlling, jealous or condescending. We can be silly and laugh a lot, and we can also engage in serious discussions. Some of my friends assumed the only thing we had in common was sex. Others told me to be careful because younger guys are usually looking for a mother figure.

Nevertheless, anyone who has spent time with us can see that we are well suited to each other. We share the same values and have similar interests. Whether or not anything will come of this, I don't know, but I enjoy his company and think the world of him. With a relationship as solid as ours, age is irrelevant. — "Older Woman" Out East

Dear Woman: A few years ago, I wrote a book, and one of the chapter titles was "Age Is Only a Number, Baby!" I believed it then, and I believe it now. Some men are old at 25; others are young at 65. It's what goes on between the eyebrows and the hairline and not farther down. Here's more on the subject:

Dear Ann Landers: I am a 24-year-old divorcee and have been dating a 63-year-old widower for the past seven months. He is not a millionaire, nor is he famous, but he has something that is almost impossible to find in men my age these days. I'm talking about integrity, maturity and a sense of responsibility. Best of all, he is a gentleman and knows how to treat a woman.

This man was not looking for a trophy girlfriend. He is very much into physical fitness and wanted a woman who shared his enthusiasm for scuba diving, weightlifting, running, motorcycling and dancing. Both his family and mine have been supportive of our relationship. My parents saw me leave an abusive marriage, and his children know how much he suffered when his wife of 38 years died after a long illness. They just want us to be happy.

I realize if we stay together, I may wind up being his caretaker and possibly a young widow, but I am perfectly willing to take that risk. — May-December Magic

Dear Magic: This could work because your eyes are wide open and you understand the risks. I wish you all the best. Here's one more on the subject:

Dear Ann: A family in Michigan had three daughters. The youngest, "Stella," married a wealthy man her own age. After a few years, he fell in love with a married woman. Together, they plotted and executed the murder of the woman's husband. Stella's husband is still in prison. Stella died after enduring years of grief.

The second daughter, "Hortense," married a young businessman. During his midlife crisis, he fell in love with another woman and deserted Hortense and their five children, along with his elderly mother, who lived with them. Grieving over the breakup of the family, his mother and youngest son died.

I married the youngest daughter, "Grace," when she was 24 and I was 46. I was concerned about our age difference and suggested she pick a younger suitor. Taking this as a mark of good character, she said, "Let's proceed." We have been married for 47 years and have two sons. I am now 93, Grace is 71, and we are still dancing. I bless the day we met. — H.B. in Salem, Ore.

Drugs are everywhere. They're easy to get, easy to use and even easier to get hooked on. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS

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