Suvechha Sarkar
Season 16 of the popular show ‘Married at First Sight’ introduced Nicole Lilienthal and Christopher Thielk to each other when they were looking for someone to settle down with. Nicole, hailing from New York, and Christopher, originally from Chicago, moved to Nashville because they were tired of the dating pool outside. From the beginning, the couple showed unmatched communication and understanding between each other, which made it evident to their fans that the couple was there to work it out for the long term. They were one of the most talked-about couples on the show because of their willingness to walk through the differences, which showed that their relationship was nothing but promising. The viewers hoped that by beating all the odds, they would be able to see the couple reaching their happily ever after.
Nicole and Christopher’s Relationship Was Fated to be
Nicole moved to Nashville for her job and a change of scenery but struggled to find a partner willing to settle down. Likewise, Christopher wanted to start anew but failed to meet anyone who wanted a long-term relationship. So, when the experts matched them, it was like fate had brought them together. From the beginning, the couple decided not to fight over small things and always prioritized healthy communication. They believed in building a marriage on the foundation of trust, mutual respect, and admiration. They grew closer emotionally and physically and fell deeply in love. Like any relationship, they experienced both ups and downs, starting when Nicole’s insecurities started causing doubts.
There was also a fair share of differences in opinions, which the couple had to work on. While Christopher wanted to take time to move in together after the Decision Day and see how things went, Nicole was quite adamant about moving in together. According to her, if they decided to be together, it was better not to delay it. She feared that Christopher might lose his feelings because of the distance during their time apart. While he wanted to start a family, Nicole was unsure if she wanted a child. With these major contradictions arising, the viewers were concerned about whether their relationship would last despite their growing love for each other.
Nicole and Christopher Have Been Happily Married For More Than Two Years
Despite the challenges and differences, the couple’s love overcame everything when both Nicole and Christopher decided to say “Yes” to each other on Decision Day. The couple has been deeply in love and celebrated their 2.5-year anniversary this January 2025. Nicole also changed her last name to Thielk, which shows her seriousness. After the show concluded, they decided to go on a proper honeymoon since they had to share their first honeymoon with the other costars in Jamaica. They bought their first house together in August 2024, and the couple could be seen basking in the joy of being homeowners. They stood smiling ear to ear beside each other, with gifts and champagne in their hands. They are also proud parents to three fur babies — Kodah, Kobe, and Charlie.
The couple is also close to their in-laws. In one instance, Nicole thanked her father-in-law, Jeff Thielk, for transforming her new home’s kitchen into a place of character. In another instance, Nicole’s father, Mark Lilienthal, expressed how glad he is that his daughter is with Christopher and he is proud to have him as a son-in-law, to which the reality TV personality replied that he should visit them soon since the couple and the dogs miss him. In January 2025, Christopher shared an update on how the couple had taken up a little project to add color to their downstairs and walls and expressed, “That is one of the fun parts about marriage is taking on little projects like this and doing them together to improve your home!” From enjoying date nights from time to time to traveling together, the couple has continued to shower love and enjoy each other’s company.
Nicole and Christopher Continue to Grow Together in Their Careers
Nicole worked as a Senior Marketing advisor at Compass until January 2023. After the cameras stopped rolling, she started as an Integrated Marketing Manager at Forbes in July 2023. She also launched a podcast in June 2024 with Gina Micheletti and Kirsten Grimes, two of her costars from ‘Married at First Sight’ season 16. The podcast is named ‘D-list Diaries,’ where they discuss their personal experiences and personal growth and offer their insights on what life is like after being a part of a reality show. She is also active on social media, with over 53K followers, where she shares sneak peeks from her podcast and records her journey with her husband as much as she can.
Christopher completed his master’s in Sports Administration from Eastern Illinois University before starting his career as a business coach. He has worked as a Business Coach at Amazon since July 2019 before becoming the senior Business Coach in August 2024. Christopher actively shares his journey with his beloved, with over 25K followers. Apart from this, he continues to work diligently towards his personal growth, with the love of his life beside him all along.
Nicole and Christopher are Leading a Balanced and Fulfilling Life Today
Although the couple is flourishing in their respective careers, they have succeeded in prioritizing their relationship over anything. In July 2023, Nicole surprised Christopher with tickets to the ED Sheeran concert. In July 2024, the couple took a much-needed break from work and spent time with the family in Georgia. Not only did they enjoy hiking and cooking out with their loved ones while camping, but they also went kayaking, their first couple’s activity when they went on their honeymoon in Jamaica. The couple also established their tradition of carving pumpkins together on Halloween.
The couple celebrated “almost 2 years” of marriage by visiting a Savannah Bananas game. Christopher surprised his wife on their second anniversary with a trip to Hawaii. From time to time, the couple takes cooking lessons and also practices self-care together. From going on Steak night dates on weeknights to surprising each other with dates, the couple has not failed to keep their bond lively. Overall, the couple has successfully transitioned from a reality TV couple to one in real life, and they continue to navigate their lives together with love and laughter.
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