Christie Brinkley on What Attracted Her to John Mellencamp

— -- Christie Brinkley never expected to fall for John Mellencamp.

The 62-year-old supermodel recalled meeting the singer, 64, last year.

"I thought, 'Oh my gosh, we're really opposites. He's kind of a throwback from another time, like a silent cowboy,'" she told People magazine recently. "But then we talked and realized that we do have a lot of shared interests."

Dating since September, the couple bonded over their kids -- Brinkley has three and Mellencamp has five -- as well as their six grandchildren.

They also bonded over their age.

"I know guys that go out with girls that are so, so young. They'll throw some reference out, and they're like, 'What's that?'" Brinkley said. "When it comes to relationships, there is something nice about just being the same age."

The ageless beauty has been busy managing her fashion and lifestyle empire, including a line of skin care products and hair extensions, and a book of her beauty secrets, "Timeless Beauty."

"It is kind of a special thing to be 62 and have so many opportunities," she told People. "I never take that for granted, not for a second."