My husband is 11 years younger than me. When we met I thought he wanted me to be his mentor.

• Melanie Spring, 44, met her husband, Dan Russell, 33, in 2017.
• Melanie thought Dan was too young for her at first.
• Dan’s personal growth work that began before he met her has led to their successful relationship.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Melanie Spring. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I first met my husband, Dan, in 2017 at a three-night sleepaway camp for entrepreneurs when I was 37 and he was 26. Think of the summer camp from “Dirty Dancing,” but for adults who are high achievers running their own ventures. There were activities like color war, breath work sessions , dance parties, and learning experiences.

I thought, OK, I’m single. Maybe if I hang out with a bunch of other high-achieving entrepreneurs , I can find someone who thinks like me but isn’t exactly like me.

When we first met, I thought he was too young, given our 11-year age gap .

I thought he wanted me to be his mentor

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