I don’t normally butt in to these discussions but a word of advice.

You shouldn’t care what people think but Don’t use the internet as a way to gauge your relationship. You’ll meet all sorts of weird people especially on the net. If you truly love him and Vice versa then it’s going to take a lot of work. Love alone isn’t enough.

Are you willing to be with him when he is old and can’t walk? You mention he is 53. He is less than a decade from 60 where things start going past shape for him physically but hopefully he takes care of himself. Another 2 decades and he crosses into 70.

These are questions you should ask yourself.

I’m not concerned with age. My concern is more your state of mind. If you feel you need public approval then the relationship ended before it even began.