A couple with a 26-year age gap have spoken about the secret to how they make their relationship work and how their families responded to the news of their love11:19, 11 Aug 2026A mother who is dating a man 26 years her junior has said their relationship works because they don't see each other very often.‌Mum-of-two Sundari, 61, fell in love with 35-year-old boyfriend Maxi. Sundari lives with her two children from a previous relationship in Pilar, Argentina, while Maxi lives around 40 minutes away with his mother in the city of Avellaneda‌Speaking to TN, wellbeing coach Sundari said that after the end of her relationship with her ex - the father of her two children - all of her subsequent partners had been younger, something she’s put down to her friendship circle being filled with younger people.‌The pair, who met around 18 months ago during a cacao ceremony - a mindful ritual based around drinking pure, ceremonial-grade cacao - have since spoken about the secret to their strong relationship.Maxi and Sundari were invited to the ceremony by people and Sundari was asked to lead the gathering.‌Sundari revealed the secret to his and Maxi’s enduring love, and it was simply a question of scheduling. She explained: “On Saturdays, Maxi comes round and stays with us until Monday."During the week, we send each other lots of little love messages in the morning and before bed. We’re very respectful of each other’s time. It’s lovely to see each other again at the weekend.”It is this deliberate distance, explains Sundari, that means the pair can enjoy some autonomy during the week. She said: “Plans might come up during the week, but we mostly see each other at the weekends.‌“I like it this way. I like having my own time. I was married and lived with my partner for 20 years. I’ve never lived with anyone since, and I love having a boyfriend.”Maxi said he had strong feelings for Sundari from the first moment he saw her.He recalled: “When I arrived, she was singing. Afterwards, we chatted for a while, and I asked for her Instagram. Her presence blew me away. I loved watching her sing.”‌Maxi also addressed the age gap, but explained that although he thought Sundari was younger than she was, that when her true age was revealed, he was even keener to get to know her.He said “Then we started talking about our lives, and at one point she told me how old she was. I thought she was 45. When she told me she was 60, it didn’t cross my mind at all. No sense of rejection. On the contrary, I felt even more enthusiastic. I thought: ‘Wow, I can’t believe it’.”‌When it comes to acceptance, both Sundari and Maxi have the support of those they love. Sundari explained that whilst it was a bit of a shock to her two sons, she said that “they want to see me happy and support me in all my decisions”.She added: “When Maxi comes round at the weekends, my youngest son is at home, and it’s all very harmonious, very lovely.”Maxi explained that his family was also accepting of his relationship and how his mother had no point commented that Sundari was old enough to be his mother. He said: “She never once said, ‘She could be your mum’. She sees that I’m doing well, she sees that I’m happy, and that’s all that matters to her.”Article continues belowSundari rejects any backlash they’ve received. She said: “This has always happened. There have always been relationships between older women and younger men.“The thing is, in the past, it was so taboo that nobody made them public. I love the fact that today they can be brought into the open and that everyone can live the life they want to live.”