I am so excited and nervous at the same time!

(grinning from ear to ear)
He is a great guy. I love him more than I can say. He is my best friend, pays lots of attention to me and my needs. He had always been there for me (as I have for him), when dealing with ex and kid stuff. We share a great deal of the same interests. We have fun together. He makes me feel beautiful, sexy and loved. He is great with my teens. (maybe because they are closer to his age than I am) Kids love him, although they are still having a hard time with the divorce.

We have been together for 3 years. He has been wanting to marry me for 2.5 years.

Why am I nervous?
First off, he is 17 years younger. I am in my 40's he is in his 20s. We don't see age difference, but I am not getting any younger.. (that makes me insecure) However I do look a lot younger than I am. Most think I am in my early 30s. (I have always attracted much younger men because of this). He also looks younger than he is.... so that brings on lots of stares and gossip. Sometimes cute girls will flirt with him, thinking I am his mother or older sister. But he is quick to put his arm around me and give me a kiss. (how sweet, tee hee) Then there is thinking about retirement and such. Sometimes we talk about kids... We both want to have one together, but we both know there are risks.. and we will already have 5 between us. yikes! But I love his kids so very much and we are trying to get custody of them from their abusive mother.

Second, my family (as in parents and sister) knows he is a friend, but I have never came out and said anything about us as a couple.... I fear what they will say. I am sure they suspect. Dad has already mentioned that he wasn't good enough and was probably out to get what I have (which isn't much, and bf makes more $ than I do). Then again no one is good enough for his daughter. lol How do I tell them I am getting married.... ummm by the end of the month. Why so soon? He will have his daughter and we want here there... it's a timing thing, mine will be gone for 6 weeks). When they get back, she'll be gone till next summer.
Third, I almost lost him once because he didn't think I wanted to move on. He gave up on me. It lead to something I don't want to talk about because we have worked through it already. (had to mention it)