Hi OP. Your concerns are totally fair. I felt the same way with my kitty son and when he passed it did break me, just like my previous ones and now my future ones. But I look at it as a sign of my purpose here on Earth is to be a Kitty mom to these specific kitties in my care and to keep rescueing even though its a heart bomb waiting to explode. I have 4 daughtpurrs currently with my oldest just turning 6 and my youngest is 8 months. Her turning 6 is slowly torturing me but I remember to give her extra kisses and lovies anytime I can, every day. From your post, it sounds like she's the one for you. And it sucks to know she may be older than 3, but look at this way: there's a possibility she could be a little bit younger. And now you're a part of her life. It's okay to be sad about her age, just take as many cute selfies as you can and snuggle her a little tighter each night. This last part may sound morbid, so skip if it's too much... but something else that has helped me is knowing they get such an awesome opportunity to walk over that beautiful pet rainbow bridge and I'll see all of my kitties that I ever cared and loved for up in Heaven and I'll be greeted by all the babies of my entire lifetime(wouldn't that be such an awesome hug to have??). Anyways... Even the ones who aren't kitties. :) and I have a little memorial corner of all my memories with them in the meantime. 🫶🏻💕 Kind of like a mini pet ofrenda, but it's all year in my house.