If You Asked Me: Nicole
Before Arizona, there was Mississippi. Nicole and her husband, Dustin, never planned to move back there, but life took a turn. Both lost their jobs at the same time in New Orleans, and they had no choice but to head home. It felt like a setback, but in hindsight, it was a turning point. They began looking for work all across the country, and one day Dustin’s former boss called with an opportunity in Arizona.
Nicole already knew she loved Arizona. Her best friend lived there, and after several visits, she had fallen for the place. Dustin felt the same. So they made the move. Even though they miss their families deeply and Nicole still carries a tender ache for New Orleans, it’s clear that Arizona has been the best move for their family.
As their family grew, Nicole and Dustin made another big decision. When their second son was born, the demands of two careers, no nearby family, and constant travel simply didn’t add up. So they chose to make a shift. Nicole stepped away from her career to stay home, a choice that came with real sacrifice. It meant letting go of income, identity, and daily adult interaction but what she received in return has become the sweetest blessing.
What makes this season work? For Nicole, it’s community. Real, invested, everyday connection. “Every mom needs community. It’s my number one tip,” she says. Whether it’s an annual Easter egg hunt or a last-day-of-school swim party, the rhythms she’s built with other moms have brought joy and stability to the everyday. Having people to do life with makes the mundane feel lighter.
Motherhood has shaped Nicole in ways she didn’t expect. With her firstborn, things came easily. But her second son brought challenges that helped her realize just how different each child can be. Parenting, she’s learned, isn’t about getting it right every time. It’s about connection, intention, and meeting each child where they are. She says her kids can come to her with anything. Total mom win.
Health and fitness, once a way to spend time with her husband, have grown into something personal and powerful. Nicole now embraces movement for what it brings to her mental health. Together, she and her husband are intentional about modeling a balanced life for their kids, showing them what aging, fitness, and clean eating look like in a healthy, sustainable way.
She’s also honest about the ongoing work of marriage. Nicole recognizes that every relationship will hit a season where things feel like autopilot. To stay close, she and Dustin check in weekly and ask one another simple but meaningful questions: “Where is your love tank this week? What did I do well? What can I do better?” They were first inspired by The Five Love Languages, but the truth is, it’s their steady commitment to each other that makes it work. Their connection is something you can feel—quiet, steady, and full of spark.
Nicole also finds joy in the little things. Her current favorite Amazon find? CRZ Yoga sets—a great Lululemon dupe that keeps her comfortable and motivated through gym mornings that turn into full-day errands. And when it comes to dressing her boys, she swears by a mix of high and low: Zara, Abercrombie, Cotton On, H&M, and Target, with Walmart in the mix for toddler basics.
Nicole is someone who lights up a room. She’s encouraging, loyal, and naturally warm. She helped me land not just my first job, but my second, too. She loves to laugh, and her curly hair is legendary.
Arizona might not have been the original plan, but it’s where Nicole has rooted deeply. Her story is one of choosing change, leaning into growth, and finding joy right where she is.
Do you have any questions for Nicole?
