OUR LOVE STORY
The year was 2016, and Nick had been living in California for a year. He had found the important places like Taco Bell and KFC, but hadn’t yet found his tribe of other cool builders and trades-people to enjoy his great company. When his sister, Hethur, invited him to join her to check out an art metal group, he put on some pants and they headed from Oakland to San Francisco to see what was happening with the Flaming Lotus Girls at the Boxshop. Robin had been living in San Francisco for 10 years, and while a long-time fan of the art group, was enjoying her first year as an active Flaming Lotus Girl. She was serving the volunteer art group as the Plumbing Lead for the current sculpture project, “Pulse”. For many makers it was just another brisk April night at the Boxshop by the Bay, but for Nick and Robin, it was a day that would change their lives forever.
Nick and Robin’s Boxshop encounters started off slowly, as there were many other people in the group and there was a sculpture to build! They first crossed paths at a Plumbing Team meeting, where Nick recalls Robin as dismissive and rude. It was true love in the making! Over the next month, Nick found his niche with the Fabrication Team, led by the incredibly talented Andrea Dorelli Shevlen, who was guiding the structural and aesthetic aspects of the sculpture. Nick’s refined shop skills proved an enormous benefit to the lady-led art group, and Robin began to admire his abilities and kindness with others. Nick and Robin connected again when Robin asked Nick to teach her how to sharpen a drill bit. She sharpened it with his guidance and when she went to use it, it snapped in half and she let out a big laugh, which he found charismatic and adorable. Nick recalls another night when Robin showed up with amazing hair, gazed into Nick with her bright, beautiful eyes and smile and gave Nick a big welcome hug.
Nick and Robin were soon spending most of their time together at the Boxshop, working late on weeknights and most weekends. Sparks literally flew as their interest in each other developed. As the beautiful heart sculpture was taking shape that Spring, Nick would sweetly walk Robin to her car after the build each night and was soon telling all of her shop friends that he was her boyfriend. One evening in June, Robin asked Nick on their first date away from the shop. Over coffee and bagels before a FLG fundraiser, they got to know each other better one-on-one. Soon after, they enjoyed some bleacher seats at a GIANTS game together where Nick realized how loud Robin could heckle the opposing team’s outfielders. They began to see that they both share a zest for fun, seek continuous learning and honor the wellness of others. Their chemistry was undeniable and their devotion to each other deepened. By July of 2016, they both knew they had found their person.
The rest of the summer was a whirlwind of creativity, madness, sweet moments, joy, struggle, learning and laughter until Pulse was loaded on a boxtruck and headed out for her debut in the Black Rock desert. Nick and Robin then experienced their first trip together which was total insanity! Pulse was quick to install and a challenge to get operational in the harsh environment, yet with perseverance and teamwork, the flames were lit! Nick and Robin exulted in their hard work and accomplishment together as the fire began pulsing. They camped with new and old friends, took long bike rides together, admired newfound capabilities as they continued to get to know one another, and danced under the stars!
Thus began the lively start of a beautiful relationship that has grown and deepened with all of life’s joys and challenges. Six years, one dog, a house and two cats later, Nick and Robin’s love is ablaze and they are excited to share their marriage with you. The future is bright! The handy couple plans to continue their home renovations themselves, which was formerly the home of Robin’s grandparents for nearly 60 years. The bride and groom are over-the-moon to celebrate their honeymoon in Hawaii, where neither have ever been, and enjoying some much needed R&R in Maui and Oahu after the wedding. They don't know what the future holds after that, but they can't wait to find out and kick-butt at it together!
Robin and Nick are thrilled to celebrate their love with you and hope you will be able to join the festivities, revel in the joyous company, dance to the music and stoke the fire! Who's ready to party?!
“Pulse” by the Flaming Lotus Girls
Lovebirds at the Boxshop
FLG, 2016