They say age is just a number, but I’ve always wondered if that was true when it came to dating.

In high school, I dated a sophomore when I was a senior and, to be honest, I kind of felt like a child molester every time we kissed. That’s part of the reason the relationship only lasted three weeks.

During my senior year of college, I dated a guy who was five years older than me. He was an associate professor at my school (which really has no relevance to this column, I just like to say I dated a professor).

Age wasn’t ever really an issue there, except when we would go out to the bars and he saw his students. I thought it was nice that they all wanted to buy him shots. He said it made him feel old.

Right now, I’m currently dating a guy who’s three years younger than me. The only reason age ever comes up is because he’s still in college. He started classes on Monday. After being out of school for three years, it’s kind of weird for me to think in terms of semesters again.

But so far, age hasn’t been a huge issue in my dating life. Then again, I’ve stuck pretty close to my actual age. I don’t know if I ever could date someone who was eight or 10 years older than me.

Trish O’Donnell does not have the same problem with big age gaps.

“I’ve dated somebody that was 15 years than I am and there were time when it was awkward, but it was not bad at all,” she says.

Trish, who’s 25, says she prefers older guys, because they’re more mature and more stable. However, there is one scenario in which age is a dealbreaker.

“If they have kids that are close to my age, no way,” she says.

Cody Snyder says it’s not about age, but maturity, which depends on a person’s life experiences.

“A lot of people say maturity comes with age, but it doesn’t, it comes with the person,” he says. “It’s not age, it’s the person and the maturity level they’re at.”

And I think that’s true. You could meet someone five years younger than you who’s just as mature as you are, or meet someone who’s five years older and still has some growing up to do.

I think part of the reason it doesn’t bother me that my guy is still in college is because half the time I feel like I’m 21 instead of 25. It also helps that he’s fun, and nice, and cute. Those qualities are always good, no matter how old, or young, you are.