Kathy’s Books
Appearances
As seen on the weekly Love & Marriage segment of Fox8
As heard co-hosting Relationship Thursdays on Q104
As seen as a guest relationship expert on iVillage.com
NEW! Listen to Kathy's 2-part interview with Trapper Jack and the Morning Show.
Part 1 Part 2Kathy Dawson is a member of the International Coach Federation
We’re On the Same Team
My husband and I have traveled together recently and nowhere does teamwork show up in our relationship more than when we have to get out of town together. We have different styles of organization, so it’s tough sometimes, especially when we are down to the wire to leave. I tend to be a last minute, “Oh lets pack this!” kind of person when my husband has been working off spreadsheets for a couple of weeks. But, somehow, we pull it off. His forward thinking and my by the seat of my pants approach come together to create a departure that works for us. So if you and your mate have different styles when it comes to travel planning, use them both and remember … you’re on the same team!
Great Couple!
I filmed a news segment last week in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Included in the segment were Debbie and Maurice LaFond, a couple who has been married over 30 years and truly knows the secret of a successful lifelong relationship. Click the link below and listen to the wisdom of this couple who knows what it takes be happy and married.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=130827
Born To Be Cupid
It’s my birthday today! I’m officially 53 years and 1 hour old and happier with each passing minute. If it were 53 years and 1 hour ago, and I had the ability to custom design my life, I couldn’t have created an existence any more wonderful than the one I’ve lived. Seriously. No matter what happens from this point on, I’ve got so much gratitude in the fuel tank that it will easily take me home.
I was born 7 hours and 2 minutes after Valentine’s Day, which always makes me smile and is no surprise to me. Ushered in with Valentine’s Day at my heels was clearly foreshadowing at its best. Love and its symbol of a red heart always flowed naturally into my birthday celebration, so that when as a freshman in high school, I was asked to choose a mythological character to portray for a unit on mythology, I naturally chose – you guessed it – Cupid. The feeling of standing dressed as Cupid wearing a sandwich board of a big red heart and holding a cardboard arrow will forever be branded into my memory.
So here I am. Fifty-three years old and I get to play Cupid every day of my life! Since I became a relationship coach 18 years ago, I’ve played rather than worked. My “job,” if you can even call it that, is to teach people how to love each other. Not a bad gig. Not a bad gig at all.
Big Turnout for 17th Annual Romance Workshop
We had 28 couples attend this year’s Romance Workshop, even though some surrounding areas were slammed with almost a foot of snow the previous night. Thank you to everyone who braved the inclement weather! The new fallen snow was a perfect backdrop to a romantic day at The Hillbrook Club, a turn of the century English Tudor Mansion in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Tucked inside acres of woods, this historic building showcased three fireplaces and countless romantic nooks and crannies to where couples retreated throughout the day. One of the highlights of the workshop was a presentation given by Kathleen Krupar, a licensed massage therapist, who taught everyone the benefits of touch, including 9 different kinds of hugs!
It Warms My Heart
As we approach our 17th Annual Romance Workshop, it warms my heart to hear so many couples tell me how much they look forward to this special day and evening. Many couples return year after year, which is so great to see. It’s also fun to watch new couples join us as they experience the workshop with a sense of anticipation and a bit of nervousness. What a great time of year for everyone to get out of the winter doldrums and immerse themselves in romance! This is so cool!
Dancing, Dancing, Dancing!
My husband and I danced the night away this past weekend, as we were invited to Swing in the lobby of the Bolton Theater at the Cleveland Playhouse prior to the opening night of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” What fun! Dancing is one of our favorite ways to connect. Even though we speak very few words while cutting a rug, a lot gets said as our bodies move under and around one another to the sounds of Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and other big band leaders. Trust and confidence builds every time my husband tries a new step and I blindly follow along. My challenge is to let go and follow his lead. Every time I do, I never regret it. Sounds like a good policy for life, in general!
Rare Wedding Magic
My husband and I attended a wedding last night that had many traditional elements to it. The vows were simple and traditional. The wedding party entrance and receiving line was traditional. The food included a lovely sit-down, traditional meal. The tempo of the evening felt very much like what we would expect. What we didn’t expect was what happened on the dance floor during the bride and groom’s solo dance. For two to three minutes, we watched this couple transport themselves. I’m pretty good at picking up a bride and groom’s nervousness and anxiety at a wedding. This couple could have cared less about being the center of attention. They locked onto each others eyes, kissed, swayed, nuzzled, and took off for a magic carpet ride. Their undivided attention to one another was palpable. I’ve been to a lot of weddings. This one I will remember.
The New You for the New Year
I just taped a news segment for WKYC Channel 3 News on how to become the “New You” for the New Year and be able to attract a partner into your life. When asked the question, “How does someone find that perfect lifelong mate in the New Year?” I answered with two words: ”LET GO.” Rather than hold a death grip around the idea that for the New Year you have to find the love of your life, better that you let go of the image you have of prince or princess charming and focus on making you the best you possible. When you discover what it is that makes your soul sing, what makes you feel energized and passionate, you exponentially raise your chances of meeting a kindred spirit, someone with whom you can journey through life.
“It’s Complicated” Was Fabulous!
Just saw the new Meryl Streep movie, “It’s Complicated,” and loved it! Great relationship story between a divorced couple (10 years prior), the husband of which got remarried to a much younger woman. The spark that is rekindled between the divorced couple is palpable and complicated, for now they have 3 grown children. The movie is a great parable about checking your motives when in a relationship. Highly recommend it!
Forget New Year Resolutions
In my opinion, the term, “New Year Resolutions” is an invitation to miss the mark. The idea that you are going to resolve to do something is great, but resolutions, in my mind, focus more on perfection rather than progress. What I recommend, instead, is for you and your mate to sit down and map out some goals for your relationship and your life together. Brainstorm ideas on how to improve your life in the area of communication, fun, romance, finances, parenting, lovemaking, spirituality and approach your goals with the idea that any improvement is a success. I recommend you visit the following link from the website of my good friend, Dr. Ron Arndt. Dr. Arndt developed a couples planning guide that takes you and your mate into the New Year in a life changing way! http://www.drarndt.com/store/dr-rons-couple-planning.html
