I recently had lunch with a girlfriend who happened to also be 50, like me, and we drove the waiter -crazy with questions relating to the menu.
I’m watching my cholesterol, so the shrimp and soft-shell crabs were out. She has one temporary front tooth and two temporary crowns in the back, so biting into a big fat sandwich or gnawing on a porterhouse was out. We both settled for the chicken Caesar salad, dressing on the side.
I chuckled to myself and said, “Welcome to 50!”
Turning 50 is a good thing. Really good. I feel great about life. My mind is sharp, my tummy is tight, my breasts sit high and my career is on fire.
I’ve been preparing for this for years! People have told me that turning 50 can either be met with great happiness or deep, regretful sadness. Since I don’t do sadness, I decided to take control of the wheel and give myself permission to just “do me.”
What does that mean?
It means sex happens often. And with the lights on. I ain’t scared! I do recall being self-conscious about my body with regard to sex when I was younger. However, turning 50 has freed me. Open the blinds and turn the lights on — this is as good as it’s gonna get! And it’s damn good.
I wear whatever suits my fancy, everything from a short,tight skirt and a flowing wig some might say is too long for my age. As women age, people talk about dressing “more age-appropriate.” What does that even mean? I wear what I want, always have.
I figure I’ve made it to 50 and I’ve earned the right to live by my own rules. That old hangup some women have about long hair after 50, that’s not my -hangup at all. I’ll wear all lengths, but my favorite is long.
I want to be hot forever. You might say, hot to whom? Well, for me, that means hot to men at least 20 years younger than me. Men who take a second glance are so affirming to the process of getting older. And please, don’t lie about your age. Hello, it’s somewhere online anyways.
Getting older has also changed the way I spend. I’ve learned to put my money on the important stuff: Great skin care and accessories matter most. A timeless purse, gorgeous scarves and great skin have become my thing. Clothing is nice, sure, but if I gain or lose weight, these things will no longer fit. I’d rather have a timeless watch.
Flats are now my friend, but they have to be cute. No frumpy footwear for me, not now, not ever. I’ve realized that even though stilettos are sexy, I can’t keep up. At 50, you know it’s a good day when you wake up and nothing hurts. My body is good, but I also realize that, hey, I’m freaking 50! And nothing is better than a pain-free day. I know at 50 years old, nothing heals the same. And I won’t be skydiving, roller–skating or even roller-coastering!! I may never recover. Kidding, sort of.
I didn’t always feel this way.
Truth be told, my first 21 years sucked, I was just so insecure and so uncomfortable in school. It was just something I had to do, and I was really just socially awkward. In those early years, I really never had good birthdays.
But honestly, every year after 21 has only gotten better. That is when my career in radio started taking off. I never remember having a bad thought about myself, about the life I created for myself after 21. When I turned 25 years old, I didn’t feel older, I felt accomplished. When I turned 30 I had a brand-new boyfriend,who became my husband. I didn’t feel old, I felt together. Like I was -finally the person I was meant to be. When I turned 40, I had my career back in New York and a beautiful baby. And in time for my 45th birthday, I had my talk show. It just kept getting better and better.
To me, turning 50 means that it’s time to release and let go.
I do believe in girlfriend breakups. I’ve learned to delight in my own company. I am, no joke, my own best friend. Also — and I learned this from my mom — to cherish my inner girl. That is very important when you’re trying to maintain that youthful vitality. Laugh hard, and when you think you’re finished, laugh even harder! My husband still refers to me as “shorty,” a term younger boys call their girl. I love it.
Being half a century old has also made me realize that young people are very useful.
Young people make me feel younger. My 13-year-old, as well as my younger staffers, really do open my mind to new ideas. Now, mind you, I’m the youngest 50 in my girlfriend set. Most of my friends just can’t relate to my short skirts or my music choices. And I still love the hip-hop music and the culture. Young people give ol’ Miss Wendy affirmation.
Finally I’ve learned not to hate anybody! Hate causes wrinkles and is bad for your heart. I hate nobody. And I don’t have any wrinkles.
I feel better about myself than I ever have in my entire life, and I wouldn’t go back to 25 ever again. So you when you see me — know this — I’m 50 and I’m Fabulous!
Williams, who turns 50 on Friday, is the host of “Wendy,” which airs weekdays at 10 a.m. on WNYW/Ch. 5, 4 p.m. on WWOR/Ch. 9 and midnight on BET.