dating

i need y'all's opinion on this. is it ok for a 16 yr old and a 18 yr old to date? bc i looked it up and it keeps telling me it's only illegal if we have any $3xu@l contact. my mom keeps saying it's illegal and won't except me and my bf. i turn 16 in march and he turns 18 in June and it's only a year and a half difference and i don't think it's a problem in my perspective but what are y'all's opinions and is it legal for us to date??