All About Love Middle Life

Hi, I'm Gina!

Hey there, welcome to Love Middle Life! I’m Gina, and I’m genuinely thrilled you’re here. Life’s tossed me a fair share of surprises, and I guarantee you’ve had your own whirlwind too.

Here at Love Middle Life, it’s all about you and me, sharing our tales and picking up some wisdom along the way. From my hometown near St. Louis to juggling life’s highs and lows, I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride just like you.

Why hang out at Love Middle Life? It’s simple—we’re all in this together. This space isn’t just about my stories; it’s about ours. It’s a cozy nook where savvy women like us gather to swap experiences, lift each other up, and find comfort knowing we’re not alone.

Let’s grab a virtual cuppa and have a chat, friend to friend. We’ll dive into the ups and downs of life after divorce, navigating work and family, and all the good, messy, real stuff. You bring your experiences, I’ll bring mine, and together, let’s make this place our safe haven in the whirlwind of middle life.

I’m thrilled you’re here to join our cozy little corner. So, pull up a chair, get comfy, and let’s start this wonderful journey together!

Love,

Gina

My Story

Welcome to Love Middle Life!

I’m thrilled to have you here on this journey with me. I’m a middle-aged Midwesterner—daughter, mom, aunt, friend—embracing this phase of life with zest.

I’m a divorced, music-loving, outdoor-seeking professional fundraiser for animal welfare, working a job I love (best job in town!) while nurturing this blog as my passion project.

Life until now has been a whirlwind of similarities and unique experiences, and I’m eager to share it all on this platform. Let’s dive into my story…

For 23 years, I navigated marriage, helped build a business, managed a bustling household, dedicated myself to motherhood, surrounded myself with friends and family, and volunteered tirelessly—balancing an array of spinning plates. Divorcing in 2013, it was a mutual understanding that my ex and I weren’t the best fit; we were young. Despite the challenges, our union gifted us three incredible kids, which I cherish every day. After a tumultuous end to another long-term relationship (marked by narcissistic abuse and betrayal), I find myself single, occasionally dating, and in the midst of crafting my next life chapter.

My story carries tragedy. In October 2020, I tragically lost my beloved adult son, Mitch, to opioid addiction. His absence weighs heavy, and I intend to share my experiences surrounding this profound loss here.

I’m a proud mother to two AMAZING daughters, Cam and Natalie—they’re my heart. We’ll delve into parenting and the journey of supporting our kids as they carve their paths, both during and after college.

Navigating midlife also involves balancing aging parents while tending to our own lives. Let’s discuss this delicate equilibrium—a shared experience among many women in our phase of life.

Prepare to meet MY TRIBE—my circle of women friends who are my heart, my rocks, my inspiration. Their perspectives on midlife topics will enrich our discussions.

About a year ago, I transitioned from suburban to city life. I now reside with my youngest daughter, Natalie, and her lively dogs, Shiloh and Nova, along with our kitty, Boo (RIP Raya). We’ll explore adjusting to life changes, blended families, health & wellness, and more.

Here at Love Middle Life, we’re dedicated to curating all kinds of stories and information specifically for women in their 40s and beyond. Alongside this blog, we have a podcast, YouTube channel, Pinterest boards, and active profiles on Instagram and Facebook. Each of these spaces is crafted to engage, inform, and inspire women navigating this exciting chapter of life.

Join us as we embark on this journey together—sharing stories, fostering discussions, and discovering the beauty and richness of this remarkable phase.

Let’s navigate this next chapter hand in hand, supporting, learning, and thriving as we embrace all that Love Middle Life has to offer!

My Beautiful Daughters

Cam

Cam is 23 and just graduated with her undergraduate degree and is figuring out ‘what’s next’ while living in Kansas City (soon to move again for a project) with the most amazing young man, JOE, Civil Engineer, dog dad to Frank, and champion clapper (true fact) …she’s contemplating grad school or a full-time job. And she is fabulous.

Natalie

Natalie is 21 and is a junior in college studying exercise science, thinking about a Physical Therapy career, working almost full-time…all while going to school full-time (online…thanks, COVID); Natalie lives with me (remember, with an energetic dog, Shiloh!). Natalie is also exploring modeling…a life-long athlete, she is a perfect choice for athletic brands. Call me and we can talk 😉 Natalie is amazing and I’m so proud!

Grief & Tragedy

Most of us who have reached our fifties have experienced struggle and tragedy, and I’m no different.

My son, Mitch, struggled with addiction from ages 18 to 25, and tragically he lost his battle to an accidental fentanyl overdose in October of 2020. We miss him every day. Down the road I plan to focus on a second blog about this topic, but until then you can click on “Addiction Resources” to learn about this epidemic in our country, plus I’ll be blogging about Mitch, my experience as a mom of an adult addict, grief, loss…and a great organization I endorse for the amazing work they are doing, Shatterproof.org.

Family Connections

My parents are still here on this planet (lucky us!). They are approaching their 80s and are the most loving people I’ve ever known.

I have an older (barely) brother, Jeff, who is married to Ann and together they have three grown kids, Hillary, Mark and Jake…the grandkid number is climbing rapidly…last count there were four!

Email me anytime at Gina@LoveMiddleLife.com. I’d love to hear from you!

xoxo,

My Tribe

I have a bunch of amazing friends that will be known as “My Tribe” at LoveMiddleLife.com. I think My Tribe will bring some great perspective as this blog explores all -things-50+ women face and tackle in life. I can’t wait for you to meet them!