I've been married seven times - so I know a thing or two about marriage. In fact, by the time I got married the first time, I'd seen a lot of marriages come together and then split apart…and marriages that came together but didn't split apart, but should have. Those couples stayed together for the children, finances, religion, etc. but the spouses lived separate lives (at best).

So I decided that all that "'till death do you part" stuff didn't work very well for more than half the people who got married. I wanted something different – and better. But I didn't have a clue what that would be.

After all, I grew up in an old-fashioned Italian-Catholic family. I was a classic “good girl” until my early twenties when a broken engagement shifted my thinking – about almost everything!

After that, I worked hard to become independent – personally and financially. I learned that I could take care of myself. I realized I didn't need a man in my life...but I also didn’t want to be alone.

By the time I met Joseph, I had a decent job and owned my own house – not very common for women in 1985. We fell in love, moved in together, and bought our own house together. That could have been enough for me. I didn’t realize it wasn’t enough for Joseph until he said, again that he wanted to get married,

That’s when I panicked. I wasn't being with Joseph that was a problem. It was the fear of losing my hard-won personal freedom as well as my individual identity.

That's when I got the idea for the Five-Year Marriage.

For a time, Joseph and I discussed it. He agreed to go along with my innovative idea. Others thought it was just a crazy idea then. They don’t think that so much anymore.

Since then, over thirty years and through six marriages, Joseph and I built our own successful businesses. He’s an in-demand muscle therapist with a thriving practice. I’m a lifestyle expert, victory strategist, award-winning business woman, speaker, radio host, podcaster and the author of three books focused on women’s empowerment: The Five-Year Marriage: Shifting the Marriage Paradigm (2018), Victory by Design: The Mid-Life Woman's Reinvention Guide (2008), Victorious Woman! Shaping Life's Challenges into Personal Victories (2005).

I also founded the Victorious Woman Project, International Victorious Woman Month (May) and the annual Girlfriend Gala (May). I’m a Literacy Hero nominee and have received the:

• ASTDPHL Leadership Award (twice)
• International Women’s Day Outstanding Service Award
• President’s Call to Service, awarded by President Barack Obama
• Neumann Distinguished Alumni Award

In September 2018, Joseph and I celebrated our seventh wedding a small B&B near our home. We were surrounded by people we love. We honeymooned in Lake George and Cooperstown NY.

I live in Chester County Pennsylvania. I love teaching – especially teaching women how to love the life they live. I also love reading books, my girlfriends, a good laugh, partying, baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies, a smooth scotch, and a racy story. And Joseph. For fun I travel to interesting places, vacation in Downeast Maine, do some ballroom dancing, play pinochle, and spend time with Joseph and my good friends.