Love. That ever-alluring, beautiful and complex, always multi-faceted thing that keeps this cold world spinning. I’m forever fascinated by it. How we find it, how we develop it, how we keep it. Our lives – and loves – will forever be inextricably linked. It begs the question, of what truly creates a life well lived. It’s not about money, but money helps. It’s not about possessions, they pass away quicker than time itself. It’s not necessarily even about the experiences imprinted on our memory. For me, life is about the relationships we cultivate and how we choose to love.
Whether it’s the tireless love of a mother and child, the love of best friendship, or the kind of world-altering love that only two individuals can create together, making our loves last throughout time is one of the strongest tests of character. It’s about how you weather the storm. It’s how you somehow, time and time again, find a way to disband your belief of how things ought to be in order to see the world from someone else’s perspective. These stories of love continue to intrigue me with their limitless depth.
My dear friends Nikki and Chris are two people that exemplify what it means to give yourself to another. They love as passionately as they live. When they fight, they fight the good fight. They stand up for each other at all costs, and continue to learn from each other along the way. They do it with passion, or not at all.
Their story could not be more all-American. Two young kids growing up in the heartland – St. Louis, Missouri to be exact – they met in classic high school fashion. It was prom night, and neither quite had the dates they had hoped for. As the sun finally fell, Chris pulled up with friends to a party at Nikki’s, and as he walked up the steps she was, well, smitten. In typical Nikki fashion, she unabashedly walked up to Chris to see what his cool confidence was all about, naturally challenging him to chug a beer – the first of his young adult life. (I’m suddenly picturing Friday Night Lights – in the best way possible). They loved each other deep down from that moment, and nothing could stand in their way of being together.
Multiple cities and states would separate them, with education and careers charting perpendicular paths. Until finally, their feelings grew as great as the distance, and Nikki joined Chris in Atlanta, making a pact to always be together. Following years in the South, they yearned for mountain air and open space, and Colorado came a calling. Four years later in Denver, Chris made an honest woman out of Nikki and now the pair have a beautiful baby girl on the way – she will be that, no doubt. After weathering the kind of losses throughout their lives that no young person should ever have to endure, Nikki and Chris are a continual testament to partnership, and seeing the bright and beautiful in life.
What does love mean to you?
Chris: It means whole-heartedly opening your entire self to another person. Being your true, authentic self, and being loved for that.
Nikki: Sometimes I have a hard time opening up, truly letting my guard down. Chris is the only one who sees me completely. He makes me feel at home, he is home. He always has a listening ear. Laughter is key – he brings a smile to my face, whether he means to or not.
After 12 years together, what has been the biggest challenge?
N: The distance – half of our relationship was spent apart. But somehow that made every moment that much richer when we were able to be together. When you get used to the thought of leaving someone, you don’t take a single minute for granted. I guess we never really know how much time we have with anyone, so every moment should be precious.
What is the secret to making love last?
C: Patience. Period. And respecting each other’s differences.
N: You have to think about perspective. Put yourself in the other’s shoes and how they would want to be treated in a situation. Sometimes we don’t always follow that – but we always, always apologize. You’ve got to be flexible in your relationship – you’re going to have to make sacrifices in a relationship, and that will never change.
What does family mean to you??
C: Trust. A place free from any judgment. Come as you are. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have to back it up. It’s a welcome commitment, day-in, day-out.
N: It’s a place of unconditional love. Where you create your own happiness and warm memories, forming who you are – the person you will become.
Your home exudes the essence of both your personalities. Where does your design inspiration come from?
C: We want to create a gathering place, one where our friends and family can feel at home.
N: Travel is in our blood. So it’s only natural that it have a bohemian, romantic, eclectic sort of feel. It’s homey at its core – I want people to feel comfortable. Everything has meaning, each and every piece.
C: Like the picture in our hallway for instance. We have so many family artifacts – but that one means the most. My grandmother was an artist – she painted it of me when I was two. She was a big part of my life, more than a second mother. She shaped who I am today. As a matriarch of our family, she helped shape my understanding of women, and the crazy respect I have for all of the women in my life – especially Nikki.
Where do you want to be in the next 12 years?
N: A family of four. We want to build success, on our own terms. As a family. You know, being able to support our family, to continue to carry out our dreams, wherever they might lead.
C: As we grow from a unit of just us two, to three, our priorities are changing, fast and furiously. Being selfless takes on a whole new meaning. The next 12 will be working together to raise a great child. Hopefully one we can mold with our same sense of adventure and curiosity. We want to see new places, meet new people, create things with meaning.
In your mind, what words epitomize the other person?
N: Drive. Motivation. Sense of humor. Adventurer. Passion.
C: Loyal. Hilarious. Unconditional love. I want to be better with her.
How has living in Colorado influenced your relationship?
C: When we need to escape, we just get in the car and drive. You can go get lost when you need a break from the city. It helps to clear your mind.
N: You can be spontaneous and adventurous here. Constantly having someone to do these things with – when you’re adventurous you just become closer. It’s about seeing things together for the first time. It’s very metaphorical of our relationship. We’ve just experienced a lifetime together at such a young age.
Some might say meeting so young, and making it last in this modern world can be a challenge. How has that shaped your relationship?
C: It’s remarkable to look back on your most formative years, realizing that through the best and worst times of your life – that one person has always been there. I think the best part – is the way we’ve made it last, that we CAN make it last. We were so young and didn’t know who quite who the other was, or who we’d become. We could mold one another.
N: We’ve done it organically. In a world where so many people simply grow apart, instead we’ve grown up. We’ve grown together.
Thanks Nikki & Chris for letting me into your world!
Last but certainly not least, we caught a set by the amazing Delta Spirit. Thanks for being good to me Austin. Until next time.
YOU WILD COLORADO 