It’s times like these I wonder where the years have gone. I’m going to attempt to tell you a bit about today’s Life Lessons subject without aging us too much. Kathryn and I worked together years ago, she as the evening producer and me as the reporter/anchor. She always scared the hell out of me with her no-nonsense style. I’ll never forget me coming in from the field and wanting to paint a flowery picture of my great story and her staring at me, unmoved and unblinking and asking me to give her the 30-second version. Anyway, she and I did some wacky stuff growing up, in life and in business but somehow we survived and actually became well-respected professionals. Read more about this remarkable lady and remember, if you’d like to be our Life Lessons subject, drop us a line; we’ll get the questions right out to you.
Are you happy at the moment?
Yes, absolutely, yes.
If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?
Cherish your friends! I didn’t realize the friends I had as a teen would be my very best friends forever. I still consider them the friends who know and understand me best. Even if we don’t talk for a while we always pick up right where we left off.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
I’m constantly learning! I love the challenge of learning anything new especially if it makes me a better mom or better at my job. It helps keep me engaged.
What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?
I’m so lucky to work with a group of very talented and dedicated journalists. I want to continue to see them achieve their dreams and grow in their profession.
What’s your secret to happiness?
Health, family, work. I’m healthy and almost get to the gym every day. My daughter makes me super proud, I’m in a wonderful relationship, and I love my job!
What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?
No matter what kind of day I have, it usually ends with my daughter saying to me, “What are your thoughts on dinner?” It’s the toughest decision I have to make, especially since I can’t cook!
What’s your biggest regret?
I try not to have regrets, just lessons learned.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?
Work hard, treat everyone the same, and go out of your way to be nice.
What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?
I often multi-task in my head, which means I’m only half-listening when someone is talking to me.
Aside from motherhood/fatherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?
Nothing makes me more proud than my daughter. She’s turned into quite a young lady. She has a big heart, is very kind, works really hard in school and has very good manners.
When were you happiest?
I’m really happy when I’m challenged. I’m also happy planning celebrations and get-togethers around special events.
What ten words best describe you?
Independent, competitive, driven, honest, loyal, inquisitive, respectful, structured, hard worker, tough but fair.
Kathryn Bonfield is a single mom, living in Florida. She loves the warm Florida climate and appreciates the plentiful amount of good news stories that originates there. A graduate of the University of Florida, Kathryn’s career spans broadcast news positions in Tupelo, Mobile, Birmingham, Charleston, Tampa and Jacksonville. Her career has come full circle, now managing a newsroom where she began her career as an intern.
