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Sherrie Mathieson
Well I guess I have a few--but some of us need to find out what they don't want before they know what works for them. I took a "pass" on several great guys in favor of ones that were often very handsome, narcissists, immature and emotionally unable to give.

Luckily I always knew I shouldn't marry them. Marriage to me was serious business.

My biggest regret is that my career took precedence for a long time-- and in the film business we are tempted to have our social life within its confines. So convenient!

Finally I said to myself that I needed to change my ways and criteria. Thankfully as soon as I did that --I was open to meet and go out with the man who is today my husband.

The quality I cherish most about him--he's my best friend.

About Sherrie Mathieson
Sherrie has worked in film, television and commercials, and she has clientele of all ages and all personal styles. But it’s her unique way of looking at baby boomers that sets her apart from all the rest. And now, she has done it again. She’s followed up her first book, "Forever Cool" with the must-read, "Steal This Style," which is full of ways women can borrow cues from the younger generation in a flattering way.

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Christine Schwab
It was Valentines Day. After two wonderful years of dating, I was sure...no, positive...that I was going to get an engagement ring, or at the very lease, a proposal. After a romantic dinner my love sat a beautifully wrapped box in front of me. A big box, not a small jewelry size. But hey, he was creative, somewhere, nestled in this package was what I was waiting for.

Carefully, I unwrapped the beautiful heart covered paper and red satin ribbon. And there, inside red tissue paper sat a scarf. A beautiful designer scarf that I had admired in a store window. I couldn't talk. All I could do was look at the scarf. My love waited for my reaction, but when I finally looked up at him, he was not prepared for my words.

"This relationship just isn't working for me. We're on totally different paths. I thought this was going to be a ring and it's a scarf."
I watched him try to digest my words, hurt filling his handsome face.

"But you admired it in the window, I thought..."

It all became so clear. This was a man who loved our relationship, loved me, but wasn't going to get married. I should have seen the signs. I guess I didn't want to.

"It's a beautiful scarf, but it's a scarf," I answered. I was calm. I didn't cry or give him an ultimatum. What I did know was that this relationship was all it was ever going to be. My stillness made him feel very threatened.

"It's OK. Now I know where you're at and where I'm at, and it's obvious we're not in the same place. I understand, but this is not a good place for me. I can't be just a girlfriend forever, I'm 40 years old, I believe in marriage."

And from this man who didn't believe in marriage came the proposal, not on a bended knee, not in a romantic embrace. "How do people our age get engaged?" he asked.

"Like everyone else. They set a date and shop for a ring," I said.

"Then, we're engaged. We'll look for a ring when we go to New York next month."

The rest of the evening was planning the date and our future together. Was it the romantic proposal I envisioned? No. But the good news was that a year later, on the 3rd anniversary of the day we met we married under a hoopa in a room filled with friends and family. This April will be our 20th anniversary. Twenty wonderful years. I may not have had the proposal every woman dreams of, but I had the man of my dreams. Sometimes the best gifts come in the strangest packages.

About Christine Schwab
She's a renowned style expert and fashion consultant who has appeared on "Today," "Entertainment Tonight," "Oprah," "NBC Nightly News," "Live with Regis and Kelly" and more. She's been a spokesperson for many of the world's most powerful fashion brands and retailers. She is all about helping smash ridiculous and unfounded stereotypes, like women over 40 don't care about fashion and style. She's the author of "The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style."

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Susan Silver
When he was single, and I was single a MAJOR movie star asked me out for dinner. I DECLINED! I stereotyped him as an "actor" rather than take the opportunity to know him and it turns out he is brilliant, talented and what a fool was I! I saw him recently and told him, but alas he is married now. Sigh.

About Susan Silver
Susan was a writer for several of the greatest TV shows of all time, including "The Bob Newhart Show," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "Maude." These days, she writes a hilarious relationship column called, "The Search for Mr. Adequate." She is a frequent guest on NBC's Today Show whenever the subject turns to relationships, and she's a favorite repeat guest on the Growing Bolder Radio Show. 

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Lynn Ruth Miller
My biggest regret is that I didn't stop and think before I leaped into a relationship.  Once the magic happened I always ran with it because I was afraid it would the the one and only time and because I didn't stop to think just what it was that drew me to this particular guy. 

Sadly enough, each sparkle fizzed as fast as it ignited and even when I married a couple of them they become sodden ashes drenched in my tears within months. 

Women these days value themselves more and do not grab at the first cuddle that feels good and I applaud that.  When you value who you are and what you are, you can make reasoned choices that fulfill YOUR  needs a lot longer.  The typical male of MY generation was more a slam bam thank you m'am than a lets build a stairway to paradise type. 

I am not sure what the typical male attitude is today but I know the independent female wants more than a moment before she gives away anything as valuable as her heart.

About Lynn Ruth Miller
Everyone laughed at her when at the age of 70 she decided it was time to follow her dream. And now, she's in her mid-70s and they're still laughing. Her dream was to become a stand-up comedian and she's been a great success, even appearing on NBC's America's Got Talent. But she's also an accomplished journalist, artist, singer, actor and even stripper! Check out her web site, and remember, Lynn Ruth Miller is proof that it's never too late!

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Don McGrath
My biggest romantic regret is that when I was in my twenties I didn't know myself well enough or have the self-confidence to avoid my first marriage, which only last two years.

I knew deep down that it was not a good relationship, but didn't listen closely enough to that voice within or the voices of friends and family around me. This isn't a huge regret though, because out of it I learned so much about myself and what makes me happy.

This has led to a life that I love and that I share with my wonderful wife Sylvia. XXOO

About Don McGrath
Inching towards age 50 Don wondered how long he'd be able to participate in the sports he loves. So he began to do some research and was amazed at how many vibrant, impressive and inspiring athletes he found. His book, "Dream It, Live It, Love It" is an incredible compilation of some truly unforgettable role models. He's even become an activist with his national 50,000 Athlete Challenge. Not bad for an electrical engineer! He's unwittingly discovered how making your passion a priority can change your life!

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Mrs Hughes
Gosh, I have been married nearly 50 years and I don't have a romantic regret. My husband is  thoughtful and loving and I hope I return that emotion to him. Just to be on the safe side I will be extra charming tonight.. Love Mrs Hughes

About Mrs Hughes
Looking to reinvent herself at the age of 40, she chose the thing that terrified her most -- performing in front of others. Her experiences as a mom and a wife gave her the perfect raw material that she thought might resonate with other people going through her same life stage. That's when Merv Griffin changed her life. He hired her for his clubs and started her along the way. But it wasn't until more recently, when she posted some of her performances on YouTube, that America's Favorite Grandma became a success!

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Andrea Beaman
Ugh! I remember it like it was yesterday.  I felt wounded all the way down to my core and the pain remained for many months after.  It was my greatest romantic regret; it was the time I stopped loving me.  I was thirty-eight years old and dating a man twelve years my junior.  It wasn’t a serious relationship but, it taught me a valuable lesson.  A few months into our spring fling he gently pointed out the ash colored streaks in my hairline.  I too, noticed the gray strands, but it had never bothered me before… until that very moment!  I suddenly felt aged.  Not like a fine wine or a delicious cheese, but more like an old car that lost its luster and needed a shiny new paint job.  

Instead of honoring myself and my life’s journey, I pushed the aging process away as fast as I could. I dyed my hair and hid the gray.  Within a few of months I began to notice that my newly dyed hair didn’t quite match my face anymore.  My hair looked younger than the etched skin around my eyes, forehead and mouth.  I took a long hard look at myself in the mirror and said, “What’s next?  An eye lift?  A chemical peel?  Botox?  Why on earth am I trying to dishonor my body’s natural process?”  I felt that I had betrayed myself.  

My gray hair (and wrinkles), tell the story of who I am as I move through this life – naturally aging along the way.  Coloring my hair was a slap in the face to my process of living and dying.  I felt it impinged on my ability to live authentically and powerfully exactly as I am.  I know women, especially, are under tremendous pressure to retain their youth for fear of being discarded for a younger, shinier version. That’s the exact opposite of the way our ancestors thought.  It was the elder women, the wise old crones, who were revered and sought after for their knowledge of all things.  I needed to honor that part of my journey and begin releasing my young fertile goddess, and welcoming the wiser and older adaptation of myself.

It took almost two years for me to reclaim my natural ash blonde color again, and I’m happy I did.  My gray highlights match my face perfectly!  And, I’ve discovered that the more I love and accept myself exactly as I am, the more others do too.  Don’t get me wrong, at forty two years young, I still feel (and look) like a goddess, I’m just preparing my emotional and spiritual self for the next forty two years and the sharing of wisdom.

About Andrea Beaman
She is a nationally recognized natural foods and health expert who's passion is helping you look and feel your best. After overcoming a supposedly incurable thyroid disease, she knows what a difference your diet can make. Her recipes are simple, fun and delicious. And her philosophy, tips and advice is just as easy to digest! Her book is called, "The Whole Truth: How I Naturally Reclaimed My Health, And You Can Too!" Check out her web site for recipes and to learn all about organics.

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