Credit: Essense |
Great advice from women over 50 on dating, heartbreak, long-term relationships, and marriage.
Tanza Wallace Westry, Hospital CFO and PhD Student, Richmond (VA) – “I wish I knew that it was ok to have a voice — and that having a voice didn’t equal nagging. I wish I knew to set boundaries and stick to them. The women in my family showed me that, to have a man, you needed to ‘let’ him be a man. I wish I knew that a ‘man’ will always be a man without my help. I got married very young and my grandparents, mom [and] aunts showed me to cater to men, and that, for me, has led to emotional abuse and one-sidedness. Wish I knew women mattered, too and that being successful didn’t necessarily include a man. I’m much happier now but it took years and two marriages to get there with my second husband.”
Colleen Holmes, Closing Agent in Residential Real Estate (VA) – “I wish I knew it was ok and healthy to rock the boat when things weren’t right. We do sometimes. I strive to be peaceful with my husband but in the past I was afraid to speak up. It was just my way of not wanting strife in my home. Little did I know then it’s ok to voice my fears and disappointment but still be his anchor.”
Lisa B Jones, Community Relations Consultant and Advocate, Harlem (NY) – “Forgive yourself for what we did not know and allowed in relationships. Be clear about the difference between what we think that we want versus what we need from relationships. Love always starts with ourselves.”