I am an 18-year-old female, and my boyfriend of six months is 35. I've been attracted to much older guys for as long as I can remember, and neither him nor I have any issue with the 17-year age difference. (Probably because I'm very mature for my age, and he can sometimes be sort of immature for his.) Is this normal?
Ignore those who criticize you for this age difference. They are victims of social convention who have accepted popular beliefs without questioning them. You are intelligent enough to realize that at least some of these beliefs are unfounded.