I am 20 years old, my boyfriend is 42. We met when working together at the same company. We have been dating for almost 2 years now. We have both never been happier. The things we have in common are endless, we make each other laugh non-stop, we care immensely for each other and push each other forward in our careers. My parents fully accept our relationship and him especially. So does my brother, my sister, some of my relatives and some of my friends. Now the problem is, I have always had the attitude of 'I don't care what people/the world think of decisions I make in my life'. He is the exact opposite. That would be the one thing we do not have in common and which has now become somewhat of a major problem. Worst of all, this is now putting our relationship on the line which I am desperately, with every fibre of my being trying to avoid. We had 'the talk' the other night and he basically confessed that for the past few months he has been trying to think of ways we can be together. For the past 1 1/2 years we have not gone out or done anything together as a couple at all because he is afraid people will judge him. He feels paranoid. So we have been hanging out at his place for 1 1/2 years. He also confessed that he would love to take me out and do things with me, introduce me to his friends and family and come clean with them about our hidden relationship. He also said that he is scared to tell his parents, sisters, other relatives and friends because he is absolutely certain they will not accept our relationship and age gap. He added that if they were to accept our relationship and were aware of it then he would be alright with it as well. Obviously I understand family and friends mean a lot to him and so does their acceptance and opinions. So I asked him to give me ONE chance to convince/show him that we CAN in fact make this relationship work. Now I am on a mission to save this relationship and I am not just determined to do it, I am INCREDIBLY determined to do so. I cannot lose this man. However corny this may sound, I believe we all have soul mates and I believe he is mine. I believe we are destined to be together. I am 20 but self-admittedly very mature for my age. I have always been this way. Another problem is that I look very young for my age, I appear to be 15/16 years old. He does not want to be viewed by the public as a pedophile which he is strongly under the impression the whole world thinks of him. I was raised in a very traditional, very well rounded household. My parents raised me and my siblings with the right morals and all my intentions toward this relationship and in saving it are meant well.
How do I go about convincing this man that our relationship CAN work? And how do I convince him to confront his parents, etc. about it all? Would it be wise for me to tell his parents, etc. myself?
Thank you so much in advance.