Dear Dr. Ellen: I am a 40 year old mother of 6 and grandma of one! I have just met the most wonderful man who is 24 years old. We get along really well. We dance together. We have dinner together and we just clicked the moment I met him. The question for you is, do you think he is too young for me? Do I sound like one of those ladies that seem dirty or desperate because they can't get someone their own age? Also, my oldest daughter is 22.

Then there is my mom and step-dad who really want me to find someone of our faith. I am not attracted to anyone else and I am being pulled in a lot of ways. I'm confused about this. Should I find someone who I am not interested in and has the same faith or should I follow my heart and try to make it work with a man with whom I have a lot of things in common? The only thing I really think about is that this younger man he will want kids of his own some day and I don't want any more children. My youngest is 5 years old. I went through two breakups in 20 years and I finally want to be happy. I think I found that someone. What should I do? - Rhonda

Dear Rhonda: You do not sound like one of those ladies that seem dirty or desperate because they can't get someone their own age. In Hollywood, it has always been acceptable to read about the romances of older men with younger women. For example, Michael Douglas, who is 60 years old, is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is 34. That is a 26 year age difference. The latest couple to make the headlines is Tom Cruise, who is 42 and Katie Holmes, who is 26.

There was a time when it wasn't acceptable for women to be with much younger men. For the longest time, no matter how much we praised ourselves for giving equal rights to women, when it came to dating there was always a different attitude. While men have had the freedom to choose a woman of any age, women were expected to date men in their own age group. Not anymore! May/December romances are on the rise. I did some research. Now we are starting to see many older women with younger men. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Madonna and Guy Ritchie are just a few examples of longer lasting relationships. A couple who is now withstanding the test of time is Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. They met when he was 25 and she was 41. I could go on and on with other examples. I believe that you should embrace love wherever you find it. If there are two consenting adults who have enough in common and feel an emotional, physical and spiritual connection, I say, go for it!

However, in your case, you have a problem that is much bigger than age. I always feel that for many people, religion and children are deal breakers. At some point, before this gets too serious, you need to discuss these two major concerns. If that can't be worked out, then you should definitely move on because it will only lead to heartache down the road. - Dr. Ellen