50 over 50 2022 Edition

Yes, but it came earlier.  I let go of a lot of things but also didn’t settle for a lot of things that I did when I was younger.  

Love yourself fully and deeply; don’t feel guilty about self care or doing what brings you joy.  Lastly, never settle! 

That photo was taken 4 months to the day of my open heart surgery, although you would never know it.  If you are going through an incredibly difficult time,  trust that you will heal.  Just have faith.  

My mother is  Italian (and we found out some Greek too with a DNA test!!) and my father is Irish, English, Austrian, and Lithuanian.  My coloring resembles my mother obviously, but I have a lot of my father’s features too.  Now, I’m married with two kids  who are both heading into their sophomore and freshman years in college! My kids are my greatest accomplishment and joy.  Everything I do and accomplish is for them.  

My greatest challenge has been learning to love myself fully, despite outside influences from others,  and trusting that things will work out well.  Also, knowing since my 20s that one day I would need heart surgery and finally going through it at 50, along with the recovery process.  I’m so glad that is all behind me now.  

I am most proud of my two girls and the people they’ve grown into, and everything my husband and I have built from scratch over the course of our 24 year marriage.  I am also proud of starting and growing my business from the ground up  without any outside help or funding.  Aside from the general support of my husband, I did it all on my own:).  

The beach, being out in nature, spending time with friends and family, interior design, fashion, my dog, reading, raising my daughters and staying active.   Oh, and the BEACH!!