FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Dunlap, Tennessee-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mimi Nikkel has re-released her eclectic bluesy love song, “Intimately.” The song is available now at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/miminikkel/intimately-2.

“Intimately” continues to showcase Nikkel’s deep love of life in the Eastern Tennessee mountain community she calls home, encompassing blues, folk and jazz influences. This deeply personal song also honors her own healing journey — and the man she has healed with.

“During my formative years, I had a lot of experiences that were detrimental to my emotional and mental health and growth as a human being. One place I failed to understand was intimacy,” Mimi Nikkel vulnerably shares. “It wasn’t until I married at the age of 53 that I began to get a taste of what intimacy is. After 14 years, this is what I believe: intimacy is knowing and being known by another human in ways that transcend physical touch. It’s the sound of a voice you know loves you, it’s the touch on the hand with a glance and a smile that says you’re safe, it’s the love you feel in the morning when you wake up to a new day beside the person you know and love most.”

Mimi explains, “I wrote this song for my sweet man, my husband, Steve, who has joyfully endured these 14 years growing in love and intimacy with me.”

Through commitment to each other, therapy, and a lot of merciful grace, Mimi and Steven have been able to grow in love and healing together. They built an off-grid retirement home in the Appalachian mountains. Mimi teaches music lessons and shares her songs at local open mics. Steven spends Christmases as Santa Claus (known as “Santa Nik”). Together, they are living out redemption one day at a time.

“This year, he took me out for the most intimate dinner on my birthday,” the songwriter fondly recalls. “There were candles, roses, and this really handsome young waiter treated us so kindly. Steve listened deeply as I shared how thrilled I was by each piece of the just-perfect evening. He shared my joy, gently touching my hand, smiling. It was the most intimate time of my life. As we walked into our home on our return the next day, a tune emerged from the depths of me. It was so very different vocally from anything I’d ever written. Walking in the door, I said, ‘Honey, I’m writing a song.’ I picked up my guitar and retreated into my music room. About 30 minutes later, ‘Intimately’ was alive, and I sang it with all of my heart to my Sweet Man.”

“Intimately” is the perfect celebration of truly being known for anyone who has experienced — or is hoping to experience — that kind of love. You can follow Mimi Nikkel for regular updates and performance clips on Facebook and Instagram.

About Mimi Nikkel

Mimi has been a singer and songwriter since she was 12 years old. When she retired, Mimi returned to music, the expression of her heart and soul. With a diverse range of influences, Mimi Nikkel’s sound covers folk, jazz, and rhythm n’ blues. During the week, she can be found teaching lessons in her mountain community, and on the weekends, listeners can find her offering her soul in musical form at events around Dunlap, Tennessee.

 

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