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Okay, I'm half kidding with that headline/subject. I know some of you won't agree with this and I am fine with it. You can post your opinion below. I just wanted to share with you a letter I wrote to SOD and SOW. It's basically about Chelsea and Daniel and it's my response to reading some really hateful things online about this pairing.
I really don't mean to offend anyone; I'm sorry if I do. I was offended by some of the rude, thoughtless things I read on the NBC and Invision Boards. You see, I was married to someone younger than me. I know people in my family with 23 years difference in their age who've been successfully married for decades. There are nice wonderful people on the Days boards all over in the same position. I think people need to let go of this controlling, manipulative way of thinking about a soap opera and let them tell a good story that many of us will love. I sit through a lot of crap I don't love that someone else does, so is it really too much to ask for someone else to do the same?
Here is the letter following, read the post after to see some real life couples you might recognize in this kind of relationship:
Dear Editor:
One of my favorite movies as a kid was called Margie, made in 1946. It starred the beautiful Jeanne Crain playing a young woman, Margie, who grew up in the Roaring Twenties and told her daughter the story of it all. It was made before I was born, but this old black and white movie struck a chord with me when I was young. I watched it many times on television.
Jeanne Crain was born in May 1925, so she was only 21 when she made this movie. She played a woman with a preteen daughter as well as a teenager herself, and she did it beautifully. The male romantic lead was one of Margie's professors, although they didn't enter into a romance until she was of age, he was meant to be older than her. His name was Professor Ralph Fontayne, played by the handsome Glenn Langan. Langan was born in July 1917, making him 29 when he did this movie.
This was an innocent movie and the age difference between Margie and her professor was never discussed. But she was a teenager and he was in his late twenties most likely. He was a young, handsome, new French professor at her high school. All the girls had crushes on him. Margie ended up marrying him. When I was a kid this wasn't shocking.
Has time changed so much or are we just so jaded now we can't enjoy a love story with a twist? In Days of our Lives we have the opportunity to see a great romance between an older man and younger woman. Two terrific actors with amazing chemistry play the role of Dr. Daniel Jonas and Chelsea Brady. I think Shawn Christian and Rachel Melvin sparkle when they are on screen together. Days has gone down this road before. The age difference is close to the one between Susan Seaforth and Bill Hayes. Except we've never been told Daniel Jonas' age. He could easily be in his mid-thirties. So, what is so different now than in Doug and Julie's time in the 70s?
To me the only difference is attitude and it doesn't show that we've evolved, but rather that we are less innocent and more distrustful. I think the complaining about this coupling is coming from knee jerk reactions to the culture we live in. I think viewers need to lighten up and allow this story, which could be fun and beautiful, or tragic and full of angst, to play itself out. I resent my enjoyment being compromised because some people are so narrow minded. If anything kills Days it will be the push me - pull you fans who don't allow a good story to be told honestly. This is daytime drama and if it doesn't push the envelope a little no one will watch. I just wish fans would give it a rest.
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May 5, 2008 6:33 PM
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May - December relationships are as old as time
Definition: Generally considered to be an uncoventional choice, a May-December marriage is one in which one spouse is significantly older than the other spouse.
Significantly older is usually considered 11 years or more age difference.
"May" refers to the younger spouse in the spring of life, while "December" refers to the older spouse who is in the winter of life.
May-December Marriages/Relationships - many are very long term.
In Politics:
Jeri and Fred Thompson. Jeri is 24 years younger than Fred.
Elizabeth and Dennis Kucinich. Dennis is 31 years older than Elizabeth.
Cindy and John McCain. John is 17 years older than Cindy.
In Entertainment:
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Catherine is 25 years younger.
Donald Trump and Melania Knauss. Donald is 28 years older.
Martha Raye and Mark Harris. Mark was 33 years younger than Martha.
Clint and Dina Eastwood. Dina is 25 years younger.
Warren Beatty and Annette Bening. Annette is 21 years younger.
Francesa Annis and Ralph Fiennes. Ralph is 19 years younger.
Mary Tyler Moore and Dr. Robert Levine. Robert is 18 years younger.
Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica. Jessica is 18 years younger.
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Demi Moore was 42, and Ashton Kutcher was 27 when they wed -- a 15 year difference.
Geena Davis and Dr. Reza Jarrahy. Reza is 15 years younger.
Tony Bennett and Susan Crow. Tony is about 33 years older than Susan.
Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Tim is 12 years younger.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie. Guy is 10 years younger.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake. Justin is 9 years younger.
Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich. Bart is 9 years younger.
Tony Randall and Heather Harlan. Heather was 50 years younger.
Chuck Norris and Gena O'Kelley. Chuck is 28 years older than Gena.
Tommy Lee Jones and Dawn Laurel. Tommy Lee is 18 years older than Dawn.
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May 5, 2008 6:39 PM
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You rock! That was an awesome letter.
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May 5, 2008 6:58 PM
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I couldn't agree with you more. My parents are 13 years apart and have been happily married for 30 years (Which is huge with the rate of divorce these days). And in soaps lets not forget Bo and Hope on Days and Lucy and Dusty on ATWT both of which were PHENOMENAL love stories. I agree I deal with a lot of stuff I don't enjoy on soaps and I'm tolerant of other's feelings of them so why not return the consideration to me. Love comes in many forms and you can't help who you love or are attracted to. I personally find this one of the best love stories on soaps I've seen in a long time and hope they stick with it.
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May 5, 2008 7:16 PM
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I totally agree with this post! I see nothing wrong with Chelsea and Daniel's pairing. It's not the first nor will it be last than a couple with a significant age differance have been paired together. Age is nothing but a number. I've noticed that there are a lot of negative comments directed towards Chelsea and her past, it's time to get over it as she's changed. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Daniel and Chelsea as a couple. I know there are many more that like their pairing, as there is a fan forum dedicated to them
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May 5, 2008 7:21 PM
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I so completely agree! No matter what anyone thinks about their looks / maturity levels, they are both legally consenting adults. Whether they are 2 or 20 years apart makes no difference, and calling it "perverted" or anything else insults real-life couples with similar age-gaps. A 20-year-age gap (or the like) doesn't automatically scream "child molester" or "pervert", and it would be nice for many to realize that. If some don't like the pairing, that's fine; no single character pairing will make everyone happy. That, however, is no reason to go over the deep end about it.
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May 5, 2008 9:37 PM
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Thanks for your support guys. I know everyone doesn't feel this way and that is fine. But as you said, some of the stuff being posted out there is heinous. We can all voice our opinions like adults and why in the he-eck would anyone want to do a stop Daniel and Chelsea petition? Some people definitely have too much time on their hands.
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May 5, 2008 11:50 PM
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I am glad to see that I am not the only one who finds the hateful comments about this couple misguided. I really love this couple for many reasons..the first of which is the wonderful acting from Rachal and Shawn. They have put so much emotion into these characters that they leap off the screen. I have not been excited like this about a couple in many years. I will be happy to stand behind such a great story line and hope that Day's will stand behind them as well. I just hope that all the supporters for the Chelsea and Daniel pairing will be heard as well. Don't let the nay-sayers sway you from such a against all odds pairing. Keep up the great work...
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May 6, 2008 3:25 AM
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I'm not against the age thing I just like Nick & Chelsea I undertsand Chelsea wanting the excitement of a world traveler experienced man but Nick has evolved so and really loves Chelsea.
Chlesea almost did this before he wans't as old but she went after Jett who was like Daniel a lot hottier then poor Nick. I guess as some one who idenitifies more with Nick I want him to get the girl.
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May 6, 2008 6:47 AM
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i don't read many blogs besides this one, so i haven't seen the back and forth, but i must agree i do like Chelsea with Nick - i think they look right together and have excellent chemistry. I also like the new character of Dr Jonas and what new excitement he could bring to the role but just don't see the chemistry between him and Chelsea...i just don't, but i can imagine how good it would be with Billie! All the time Billie was on screen without a romance pining away for Bo and just as they write her off, this goodlooking guy who could rival her affection for Bo comes on - too bad, now those two would have been something on screen, i just know it! 
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May 6, 2008 9:56 AM
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You might be right about Billie and Daniel. However, she isn't there. I've watched so many couples I thought had zero chemistry to hear other people say they are great together - like Kate and Roman. I just never liked them together and always felt uncomfortable watching them. We can't all agree is part of my point. But we shouldn't cram our opinions down other people's throats as they do on some boards.
I really want everyone here to feel free to voice your opinion. I am very opposed to bashing actors or other poster's opinions. Somewhere online a Days group has to be friendly to everyone - let's make it this Days group.
I do like Nick and when they first got together the couple held such promise. The writers have taken this story no where. So, I would rather see him get someone perfect for him and have them explore a really good story for one of the best young actresses (in my opinion) on daytime than continue with this slow march of nothingness.
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May 6, 2008 12:10 PM
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I agree with you inasmuch as I think that if people are upset about the age difference, there is no need to be so hateful about it. If a couple is in love, it's nobody's business but their own about their ages just as long as they are both of legal age.
I have objections to the relationship because I'm still not sure exactly who Daniel really is, he's been a very mysterious character and apparently has a history with Victor, and that could go both ways as far as whether or not he's a decent guy. I personally don't want to see a story where Chelsea jumps into a relationship with a guy of questionable background and end up hurt because she doesn't really know anything about him. DAYS has made it a habit to do things like that, and I just don't want to see that happen again. However, having said that, I do agree that we need to give some of these stories a chance to play out, and I'm willing to do that. I just hope that the show doesn't disappoint that faith we are trying to have in them and that they do deliver a good storyline that will keep us interested.
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May 6, 2008 1:41 PM
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Exactly. We all have our opinions, but the nastiness must stop. I have been downright uncomfortable about many of the cracks made about Chelsea and Daniel. They were inappropriate and definitely crossing the line of good taste.
As Cinder said, Rachel Melvin is one of the best actresses in daytime, and this storyline is wonderful for her. It has integrated so much of the cast, made the Kirakis' feel like a family again, and even Lexie has more airtime. I see nothing but positives with this. Whether you agree with the age difference or not, or just plain old favor Nick - I hope that more people will just sit back and watch. SC and RM have been giving some really good performances, and I don't want anyone to miss out.
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May 6, 2008 1:55 PM
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solaughwhydontcha - I'm glad to see you post that. At the invision board I go to for spoilers, many posters were saying she should never be forgiven for Zack's death and the character should die. I get the feeling with some of these people it doesn't matter what you give them they would find a way to hate it and stir the pot.
As Slyn said, some of the comments really cross the line. People have posted things about child molestation. Rachel Melvin is 23 years old!! I had two kids by 23. If anyone had called me a child I would have decked them. This is the stuff that made me speak up.
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May 6, 2008 3:25 PM
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Chelsea is one character where it is very easy to see the redemption of, the show did a really good job of changing that. While I could understand it if she were still going around being sneaky and doing things to hurt others the way she was originally written, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to think of Chelsea as that same resentful person that she was, so many things that she has done over the past year and a half has proved that.
On the other hand, if anyone were to still have reservations about a character like EJ, for instance, I think they would have ample reason to do so since while he has seemed to be on the road to change lately, today's episode has given one reason enough to doubt his sincerity.
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May 6, 2008 4:40 PM
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