[girlangler]

I happen to be one of those "trophy" wives, who married a man 23 years older than me 20 years ago.

I don't understand the bitterness in some of these stories, except maybe from some first wives. When I met my husband his first wife was dead, and it took awhile, but his kids love me today, and call on me when they need help, and they are closer to me than him.

I actually am enjoying grandkids his first wife missed out on, and I feel sorry that she didn't experience the joy they give me. His kids know I am here for them, and our home is their home as well as mine, they always know they are welcome here (I've worked hard to make them know this).

Back in the old days, when wives died early (often in childbirth), men married much younger women to help raise his kids, and often had more with the younger wife. My husband didn't have that problem, and his kids, although only a few years younger than me, know that I love them. And their kids are my pride and joy, I am a young grandma and we camp and fish together, they love me.

I have the best of worlds, never had to experience a labor pain, but have beautiful grandkids who are now my fishing partners.

[ThirstyMan]

Interesting! Thanks for weighing in on this discussion. It doesn't really sound like you are one of these trophy wives though. Maybe the age difference between you and your husband is similar but that's all that matches with this story.
And that's very good for Mr. girlangler.

[Brucifer]

Are you sure you're a trophy wife? You just sound like a really cool younger wife. I mean... you fish!

[BykrBayb]

Nothing in your story allows me to believe you are a trophy wife. You lack vapidity. You may have some things in common with trophy wives, but you give back too much to qualify for that title.

[peggybac]

Does your husband have any available brothers???

[an amused spectator]

Thanks for your post. It made me smile.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And their kids are my pride and joy, I am a young grandma and we camp and fish together, they love me.

I have news for you, honey. Trophy wives do NOT camp and fish. They wouldn't do anything that might mess up their manicures. (seriously...)

[TChad]

Well done.

Thanks for a such a positive post.

[dforest]

LOL, good for you!

[DollyCali]

oh! You surely don't sound like a trophy wife (with the current definition).

You sound like a younger JEWEL of a woman & wife. You & Mr. girlangler are very lucky to have found each other. May you & all the younguns have many more years of happiness!

[sitetest]

Dear girlangler,

"When I met my husband his first wife was dead,..."

Typically, most folks think of "trophy wives" as the women men marry after divorcing the wife who helped them get to where they are.

I don't think that you really qualify.

I think your marriage qualifies more as a May-December type of thing. Glad it worked out. ;-)


sitetest

[napscoordinator]

Your situation is COMPLETELY different and glad it is working out for you. We are talking about guys who leave there 30 year marriages and go with some 18 or 19 year old. Your marriage is no where near like that.

[xarmydog]

Good on you.You seem very mature and a parent with a good set of priorities.Rare in cases being mentioned.

[Kay Ludlow]

I happen to be one of those "trophy" wives, who married a man 23 years older than me 20 years ago.

I've always taken Trophy Wife to mean a situation where a man had a wife who took care of him during the years he was scrambling for success, then when he achieves success he dumps her (for not fitting his successful lifestyle) and marries a younger woman who will be the wife he thinks a successful man should have - young, lovely, a sign of his success. By that definition you don't qualify - you just got a great relationship with a widowed man who happened to be older. That's why they don't resent you - you don't represent him driving away their Mother, you just have helped heal a tragedy.