Dating an older guy?

HUGE difference between a 26 year old and someone substantially older and a. 18 year old

The 18 and 26 year olds are at very different places in life and that makes all the difference.

Acidic, you don't seem the slightest bit interested in the advice you have gotten from the overwhelming majority of folks in the thread that you claimed you wanted.

What it seems like instead is you are desperately seeking someone, anyone, to validate a decision you've already made rather than to help you make a decision. That's fine, but why waste people's time arguing? it's a little disingenuous to ask for input and then argue why everyone who offers it is wrong.

Trevin, for someone who claims to have professional training, you are certainly over simplifying a far more complex and nuanced issue. But then... I'm not really surprised by that.