This week’s VMP Covergirl is…… Lori Feely!

Lori was referred by another lovely client. I love when that happens! I think it’s the secret to having so many amazing clients… great people tend to know other great people… but I digress. She had lost her mom last year and watched some friends experience health issues, which (along with wanting some fun updated headshots for her career in real estate) inspired her to jump in to the 50over50 project and celebrate herself at this point in her life.

Did you have any older female role models when you were younger?

Yes, so many!! You may need more space for this one.

I grew up living with my mother and father, my mother's parents and my sister. I had not only one mother to answer to but two!! We called my grandmother Nanny. Nanny was strong, but sweet and kind. She was always there when anyone needed a shoulder to cry on. She taught us to love God, how to really clean a house, how to love deeply and what it means to be a hard worker. She was also an excellent cook and baker.

My mother was more quiet and always wanted my sister and I to have whatever we wanted. She spoiled us with love and allowed us the freedom to make our own choices even when they were not the best choices. My friends all loved her. She was a very warm and welcoming person. My mom passed in May last year and I am still in shock from it. She was only 76.

I was also close with my Grandmother, my dad's mom. She was always there for me to talk to. She was very energetic and upbeat and always had candy and ice cream available! She lived to be 96 and really lived life on her terms. She had a strong love for the Lord and trusted that He was always by her side. She taught me to live each day to the fullest. She was in her own home in Bellevue the morning of her death. She was very active until her final days.

My sister has always been an inspiration to me as well. She has battled things that would make most people crumble and she held her head high and moved on. She is tough! She was my protector through so much! I couldn't imagine my life without her.

In addition to these lovely ladies I was lucky enough to find an "adopted mom" in one of my friend's mother. In my late teenage years my mom and dad got a divorce and I really struggled with it. Glenda was always there for me. She was a quiet strength. She just listened and I swear she knew that is all I needed. She got me through a very difficult time in my life and I can not thank her enough for that.

Growing up, we had 3 girls who lived next door to us. Their mom, Marylou, and our mom were close so we were together often. We are still close today.

I was also close with my Sunday school teacher Sr Katherine. She had the greatest smile and the biggest heart. She was so good to me and my sister and I can still hear her laugh.

Later in life, I met a dear friend, Ricki, who was the office manager at the apartment that I rented. She has been huge in my whole family's lives. She was always there to share in events for our boys and would babysit for us. I couldn't imagine life without her either.

I feel that they all had a part in who I am today. I can't remember any advice that any of them gave me directly, but I feel that in all of their actions they were providing me unspoken and valuable advice. I love each and every one of them dearly.

How did you mark turning 50? How did that feel to you?

My husband and boys planned a wonderful day for me. It started by heading to Tappan Lake in Ohio to kayak, then we went to the winery. We headed home for what was supposed to be a surprise party but my husband needed some help with it so I found out about it early. :) I am definitely the party planner in the family. He reserved a place at The Hofbrau House in South Side and there were about 40 ppl there to celebrate with us. It was a wonderful day. Turning 50 didn't really bother me much. It is another new chapter and I am truly trying to make the most of it.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Oh Boy! Stop Stressing! Have patience. Love yourself just a little and stop being so hard on yourself. I was always a very critical person of myself. I never felt good enough. I think that the wisdom that comes with turning 50 helps me to not feel that way anymore.

Do you feel like you've changed since you've turned 50? Example: have your values or your perception of being attractive changed?

I have always been a bit of a tomboy. I have really never felt like I was an attractive person, but I do have to say that the older I get the better I feel about myself. I used to be so hard on myself when I had extra pounds on or when I went out with all of my beautiful friends. Now I won't say it doesn't affect me having extra pounds on it just isn't as big of a deal and I love seeing my beautiful friends and spending time with them. It is very freeing to know that I just have to live my life.  I should probably put in a little more effort to look like a lady but in the end it just isn't who I am. I think I am this way because my mother was so into us being all dolled up as young girls that it caused me to go the opposite direction. Until the end of her life, my mom still had to take 2 hours to get ready to run to the grocery store. :) It was her thing. I just wanted to climb trees and ride my bike in jeans. My current wardrobe consists of jeans and boots or sundresses and sandals. I am a simple person when it comes to that.

What positives have come from being over 50?

I have matured a little! I will never catch up to my boys but it feels good to be a little more mature than I was in my 30's and 40's. My boys have taught me so much! I couldn't be more pleased with the two of them. It has also been nice having some freedom to go out to dinner with friends and not worry about the boys. They are men now and although I would go right back to the days of them being little, I do enjoy the freedom that I have.

Do you have any goals or projects you're working on? What dreams do you have for the future?

I do! As you know I am currently in Real Estate. I hope to get licensed in Florida and move down there in a few years. I also would like to buy a few more short term rentals. We currently own one that we purchased in Seven Springs in 2021. We used to work in the Bed and Breakfast Industry and it has always been a dream of mine to own our own so in addition to the short term rentals, I would love to eventually buy a Bed and Breakfast. I love the feeling of hosting and meeting our guests. The short term rentals do not provide that same joy.

What is your best advice for other women who are coming up on turning 50? What do you 'know' now.

Enjoy it!! . Each day is truly a blessing. It is all we are promised. It is good to have goals and work towards them but not to the extent that it hinders your present joy. Try to take each day in and find a positive to each day!

How would you like people to describe you or see you? What do you most want people to remember about you?

I think I am funny. :) My jokes don't always come off right though so I often wonder if only I think I am funny!! I am always trying though and I hope others get my get my sense of humor. I feel compelled to turn even a bad situation into something to laugh about. I need to work on that a little, but I think it is nervous energy. My nanny was a naturally funny person and I do think I am a lot like her. I think I would like people to also remember me as a kind person. I am not always kind especially when I am driving, but I feel that I have a genuine love for people and have their best interest at heart. I would like them to see me as a person who loves God. I am not always a good representation of this, but I want to work harder at being a better Christian. That is important to me.

Why are beautiful photos important to you right now?

Since I lost my mother last year I realized how quickly life can change. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. I wish that my mother would have had the opportunity to do something like this. It would have given all of us a wonderful keepsake. I am not a person who ever cares about being glamorous. I am happy with who I am but I think it will be nice to look like a lady even if it is only for 1 day. :)

Congratulations Lori!!

You can find more information about the 50over50 Project here. There are just 3 spots left! Stay tuned for information about our exhibition event in November!