"If the grades don't touch, you shouldn't."

Age gaps hit different depending on how old you are. When you’re in high school, dating someone a couple of years older can mean big jump in experience and power.

A three-year gap between a 16 and 19-year-old isn’t the same as the gap between a 30 and 33-year-old. When you’re younger, those years usually mean big differences in life stage. One person is still in school while the other has way more freedom and independence. Maybe they have their own place, car and money. That can impact how confident someone is, the choices they make, and whether they feel able to speak up or say no.

As you get older, those gaps tend to matter less because you’re probably on a similar level. If one person has more experience or independence, it shifts the balance.