Done with the distance.
Nikki Bella revealed that she went through a "rough patch" with fiancé Artem Chigvintsev due to spending time apart for their respective careers.
"This is the longest we haven't seen each other," Nikki opened up during her The Bellas Podcast with twin sister Brie Bella on Nov. 10, citing that she has spent over six weeks away from Artem while he's filming Dancing With the Stars and she serves as a judge for the upcoming America's Got Talent: Extreme.
She continued, "It's been hard on [Artem] and it's been hard on me too, to not have my man in my bed."
The Total Bellas star also shared that she struggles co-parenting 15-month-old son Matteo Chigvintsev with Artem from afar. "Teo goes everywhere with mama," Nikki noted. "That's where he's comfortable, that's where he does best. [But] when you're away from each other, there's different time zones. Myself having Matteo and working long hours, I need Artem to check in in ways of like, 'How are you? how are you doing? How's Matteo doing? What can I do?'"
Nikki continued, "Sometimes I feel like the other person, mainly the dads, they get into this [space of thinking] they FaceTimed and that's great, and they get on the phone and that's where it ends for them. And it's just hard when the involvement beyond that isn't there."
And, all the "to-do lists" fall on Nikki. "I'm doing the whole family's to-do lists, Matteo's to-do lists, the house we're building's to-do list," the WWE Hall of Fame inductee added. "All the to-do lists are going in my head so that just causes a little bit of tension in a relationship."
But, since returning to therapy with Artem, Nikki noted that they're "doing great" as a couple. "We're in a really in a good spot. We were doing a little rocky for a bit," Nikki concluded. "Now we're stronger than ever."
Relieve their road to romance below!
Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev were dance partners during DWTS' 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Garcia twin's hand for a promotional shot.
Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki's Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas. Why?
Nikki explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn't the only reason for his social media cameo. "I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me," she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.
Artem followed Nikki's adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot showed a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem's face while his arm was wrapped sweetly around her waist.
Trailing Total Bellas' fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that saw her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro's cheek.
The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday's episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing.
"Well after that season finale," she wrote in the post's caption, adding that her and Artem's relationship is the "first thing I'll be talking about" during Wednesday's upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!
Artem and Nikki held hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.
Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella posted this cute pic of herself and daughter Birdie grabbing breakfast with the couple in April 2019.
Nikki and Artem snuggled in bed with her pup Winston.
Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and her husband Bryan Danielson.
Artem made his first appearance on the Garcia's podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn't shy away from talking about their relationship.
The couple shared a sweet moment in the crowd at the BottleRock music festival.
Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to in Napa, Califa.
"Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart," Nikki wrote in a tribute to Artem in June 2019. "You're a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life."
Nikki planted a sweet kiss on Arten during a selfie.
The pair snapped a "hands free 10 second selfie."
Artem sweept Nikki off her feet! "Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!" she wrote on Instagram.
Nikki and Artem's Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July.
Nikki and Artem soaked up some sun in the desert.
Artem joined Nikki and Brie on a trip to Mexicali as the twins tried to reunite with their estranged father.
Nikki snuck in a selfie amid her attempt to "seduce my way into getting a foot massage."
The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.
Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her "new beginning" with Artem.
"As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same," the retired WWE star wrote. "And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I'm thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers."
Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.
Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D'Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.
Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!
Seriously, could they get any cuter?
Nikki and her "4 lifer," as she put it in the caption of this October snap.
Champagne time.
Artem shared this pic on Nikki's birthday.
"I want to wish the happiest birthday to my beautiful and definitely better other half," he captioned the post. "you are my rock, you have been absolutely incredible as a mom to Matteo and I am so lucky to have you. I want to wish you lots of success, love and happiness and everything you wish for yourself. I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you to celebrate."
Muah.
"mi casa," Nikki wrote alongside this sweet selfie.