Hi Meg!
Thanks so much for sharing with us... We are honored to be able to talk to you about this situation in your life.
I'm no expert by any means, but have been around older adults for a good portion of my life. May I ask, what is this gentleman's family situation like? Does he have kids?
Here are some of the challenges I've seen some couples with large age gaps find themselves in:
* Jealousy Issues: the new woman is very young and attractive -- and the man's ex-wife hates her for that, telling everyone she must be a gold digger. The man has some people who admire him for snagging someone young and beautiful (and Meg, you are gorgeous!!!), but others in their family/social circle criticize, mock, and belittle her just out of jealousy and spite.
* Along the same lines -- if this man has kids, how old are they? The kids might see you as competition for their father's attention -- and money, if he has any, and that usually doesn't go over well. I've seen some situations in which the kids refuse to acknowledge the new woman at all, and will not speak to their father if she is there. Some will speak to their father WHILE he's there, and completely ignore her just to hurt her.
* I once worked with a girl who was with a guy considerably older... and he had grandchildren. She was in shock at being called "Grandma" at age 33, as well as having the grandchildren dropped off on her doorstep for her to look after.
* Health Issues: while of course anyone can have health issues at any age, even some of the people I knew who had exercised all their lives were getting hip/knee/back replacements in their 50's and 60's. This might work out great for them and give them a new start, of course, but it could also turn you into a caretaker very quickly.
* Mid-Life Crisis: the older partner has a need to prove that they are still young (especially since they've snagged someone younger) and throws caution out the window, spending dangerous amounts of money on sports cars, etc., or picking up old habits like drinking and partying that they used to participate in when they were younger.
And of course... Early widowhood... Someone 20 years older is most definitely likely to be called home first, which might be a very tough situation for some younger spouses to handle.
Maybe none of this would apply to your situation at all, but just thought I would mention them.
Please keep us posted!!
Here's to wishing you all the best.