From Friends to Lovers: Our Journey Together

Chris and I have a story that’s both heartwarming and full of unexpected turns. We started out as best friends, spending a full decade leaning on each other, sharing countless laughs, and building a bond that unknowingly set the stage for something deeper. In 2015, tragedy brought us even closer—both of us lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic. My son and his brother died of overdoses that same year, leaving us devastated but more connected than ever.

Two years ago, everything changed. Maybe it was timing, or maybe it was just the realization that no one else understood me like Chris did. Our friendship naturally grew into a relationship, and it just felt right—like we’d been heading toward this all along.

Then life threw us a serious challenge. In the summer of 2023, I lost both of my parents, suddenly and just five weeks apart. During that incredibly difficult time, Chris was by my side every step of the way. Even though he lived two hours away, he came every other night to help me care for my mom and simply be there for me. His presence was my lifeline.

One particular moment from that time still makes me smile. After my dad passed and my mom became very sick, I rarely left her side. Chris arrived one day, and I finally decided to go grocery shopping—something I hadn’t been able to do in weeks. When I came back, I walked into the house and heard laughter coming from the bedroom. Following the sound, I found Chris in bed with my mom, and the two of them were cracking up. It was a sweet, lighthearted moment that became one of my favorite last memories of her. I still get a kick out of seeing people’s reactions when I tell them I found my mom in bed with my boyfriend.

After my mom passed, we decided it was time to move in together. I was living in the 45-year-old house I grew up in, surrounded by memories and the past. It felt comforting to have Chris with me, but life wasn’t done challenging us. Just three days after my mom’s funeral, I was laid off from my job. It was devastating and left me feeling unsure about my next steps. Finding work turned into a long, difficult process. Eventually, we realized that the best way forward was to create something of our own. Together, we started iCEMAN Cooling & Heating, LLC. Chris had over a decade of HVAC experience, and I had years as a service coordinator. It was a leap of faith, but it gave us purpose and a way to move forward together.

Throughout everything—grief, transitions, and building a business—we’ve also found joy in the little things. One day, out of nowhere, we started calling each other “weirdo.” It became a term of endearment that never fails to make us smile. He’s my weirdo, and I’m his. It’s silly, but it’s ours, and it reminds me every day of the love and laughter we’ve shared along the way.

Sincerely,

Two Weirdos

Kim & Chris

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