Hugh Hefner Will Always Haunt Me: Stop Judging Others Based on Societal Stigmas Opinion Relationships

Since Hugh Hefner’s death a month ago, I’ve decided it’s time to shame judgmental people. I’m married to a man 35-plus years my senior. I've had more comments, questions and bizarre inquiries into my life than I'll ever write down or give validation to. I will say, the strangest was, “Does he have all his teeth?”

I honestly hate the portrayal of a young woman seeking an older man's money, but I know that's what people think when they see us. I've never seen my husband that way.

I sometimes have to remind myself that I don't "have food on my face" and people are staring because it looks like I'm making out with my dad. I can completely say I've never even thought of him as being older than me. Anyone who knows him knows his charisma and energy. He's more of a 30-year-old than I am. To be real, I hate what Hugh Hefner did. He took advantage and exploited women for his own gain and to promote his magazine.

My husband and I built a relationship on mutual respect, love and hard work. Was it hard? HELL YES!! Is it worth it? HELL YES!! But every relationship is. Ours is just complicated by society's misconceptions, not by the love we feel for each other. So please, RIP Hugh, but I won't miss you. I'm focused on changing the stereotype. Please stop judging others based on societal stigmas.