LIFE DESIGN GRADUATES COUPLE: Tanya Hosken and Rocco Cutri STAR SIGNS: Cancer and Scorpio AGES:  26 and 31

1) How long were you single before you met your partner?

TANYA: 6 Months    

ROCCO: About 3 months, although that relationship was “weird”.

2) When did you meet and how long have you been together?

TANYA: Life Design September 2006, almost a year!

ROCCO: We met on the first day of Life Design 4 September 2006. We have been together since, however there was no official date of getting together – possibly October 26, 2006.

3) Describe how the two of you met?

TANYA: We were in the same team and as the week went on our interest in each other increased.

ROCCO: At Life Design, Tanya was in my team.

4) Did you have to step out of your comfort zone to make it happen (eg asking them out, facing rejection or anything else)? Describe:   

TANYA: I moved to Sydney from Perth seven weeks after Life Design, after only spending one week with Rocco.  I could have moved for it to last three weeks, or it could last a life time.  It was a risk worth taking for the potential to have an amazing relationship.

ROCCO: I asked Tanya to go out with me, I was so pumped that week – I was constantly out of my comfort zone. My challenge from Day 1, that my coach set me, was to get a relationship by the end of the week.

5) Was it sizzling love at first sight or slow burning?

TANYA: I first noticed Rocco when Pete got all the single people to stand up and you get to check each other out.  I thought he was cute.  Then as the week went on I got to spend more time with him and witness his amazing energy and great attitude towards life.  

ROCCO: It was first sight when I actually noticed she was right in front of me.

6) What was it about them that attracted you initially?

TANYA: His energy, his enthusiasm for life and his determination to achieve.

ROCCO: Her passion, and the fact she cared so much and was willing to express it.

7) What is it about your partner that attracts you to them now?

TANYA: His commitment to having the life of his dreams and doing whatever it takes to have it. I love Rocco’s support for me achieving my goals, and his acceptance of me as a person. I also love his sense of humour and desire for fun.  

ROCCO: Fun, awesome attitude, cute, passionate, easy going, nice hair.

8) Do you think your life is better now that you are in a relationship? If so how has it improved your life?

TANYA: My life is better now that I’m in a relationship as I now have romance and intimacy.  I get to share amazing experiences with someone I truly love. 

ROCCO: Yeah sure absolutely! Good fun and balancing.

9) What is difficult about being in a relationship?

TANYA:  I find being able to separate from the relationship difficult, although I’m improving every day.  Being in a relationship but not being totally caught up in it, so that you don’t have a clear idea of who you are outside of that relationship. 

ROCCO: Compromising; however it is all pretty good.

10) What have you learnt about the opposite (or same if homosexual) sex through your relationships?

TANYA: That they’re no where near as organised as females.

ROCCO: To relax, not to over analyse things and worry about what might happen.

11) What have you learnt about yourself through your relationship?

TANYA: I have learnt that I often give up my goals and dreams in other areas of my life when I’m in a relationship.  I have learnt that my desire to achieve is an attractive attribute.  If I have a balanced life and clear values I’m at my happiest and the relationship benefits.

ROCCO: To accept myself.

12) Are women really from Venus and men from Mars? From your experience, what is the main difference between men and women?

TANYA: I think The Five Love Languages does a better job at highlighting personal differences.  Understanding the love languages has definitely helped me to express my love for Rocco more effectively and has helped me communicate my wishes to Rocco.

ROCCO: Time in the bathroom getting ready.

13) What is the best piece of relationship advice you have learnt based on your own experience?

TANYA: Positive communication.  Know your values and stick to them.  Establish the name of the game and clear rules, so that there are no assumptions.  Have time for yourself and laugh often. 

ROCCO: Have fun, accept yourself, and communicate openly.

14) How important is sex in a relationship?

TANYA: Sex is important if Physical Touch is one of your top love languages for either person. 

ROCCO: Important, I am a physical touch guy, so very important to me.

15) A friend recently told me that liking the same television shows is critical for a good relationship. What things do you think are important to look for in a new potential partner? 

TANYA: After completing PSI I thought about how awesome it would be to go out with someone who was on that same path.  Someone with a great attitude, positive outlook and that took responsibility for their life and their actions.  And it is AWESOME.  

ROCCO: Similar outlook on life, a willingness to improve themselves, and fun! 

16) Finish the following statement, “Love is…:
 
TANYA: … so much fun!”

ROCCO: …what I got, and it’s fun!