I don't think I would be able to connect with T is she were significantly older than me. I do think it's important to be able to connect around things we have in common and I guess that could happen if she were older, but it feels easier to see her as a "friend" vs a "mentor" to use lay terms.

In all honesty though, the deepest connection is when I'm open to feeling heard and validated and she's able to do that right at that moment. It's a strange feeling, but actually pretty powerful.