More and more people are finding love online, making meeting on the Internet more popular than meeting people at clubs for romance. Scores of children will now be hearing how mommy and daddy met in a chatroom or an online dating service. It’s become the single’s bar of the new generation.

81-year old assisted living resident Wu Jieqin, of China, and his 58-year old bride have something to tell the new generation, though.

“The Internet doesn’t belong to the young alone,” he told the paper. He said he had been using the Internet since 1998.

“There are no rules against old people seeking love online.”

The couple met after Wu, lonely since his divorce a decade ago, put a lonely hearts notice on a Chinese website last year with the help of a student.

Not that the feisty retiree with thin gray hair was not picky.

“As internet mates of his own age did not suit him, he set his sights on a woman in her forties or fifties,” the report said.

Wu said over 50 women responded positively to his ad, including prospects from the United States, Australia and the Ukraine. Wu met several but things clicked only when with Jiang, a retired railway worker from southwest China’s Sichuan province.

[From Reuters]

But there was something that stood in the lovebird’s way. And it’s an age-old story, no pun intended, but nevertheless appreciated. The bride’s parents, aged 85 and 86 were opposed to the romance because they felt the groom was too old for their daughter. But Jiang convinced them that he was young at heart and he wouldn’t take her away from home.

“His voice is very youthful. Not like an 80-year-old,” Jiang told the paper. “He’s very romantic.”

Wu plans to move to Sichuan to be with his new bride.

He likened their love to two well-meshed gears.

“As long they up to scratch, they can keep turning forever, and you don’t have to care whether they’re old or new,” he said.

[From Reuters]

Yes, the secret to a lasting and loving marriage is being up to scratch, and probably generous amounts of oil to keep down the friction. It makes perfect sense!

I think it’s pretty funny that he wouldn’t take any applicants his own age. Even in his 80’s the guy can’t keep his eyes off the pretty young things, like 58-year old Jiang. Wu is nearly a quarter of a century older than his young bride. How scandalous!

Like Romeo and Juliet, Wu and Jiang defied the odds to be together. But unlike the star crossed lovers, they have the support of her parents, so these crazy kids are going to make it. I’m a sucker for a romantic internet story.

Header photo from The Beijing News via Straits Times