The Couples Connection – Lion’s Paw Massage
“It sometimes takes a state of solitude to bring to mind the real power of companionship.”—Stephen Richards
February is a month to celebrate connection, reconnection and companionship. With majestic landscapes a stone’s throw away, a vibrant community, and an air of hardy independent romanticism, Cody provides an ideal environment for nourishing the soul. From the self-reliant Farmers and Ranchers, to the local Mom and Pop Shops, to the first Responders and Educators; locals ply their trade, perfect their craft, and build their lives on their own terms.
In order to create the best life, we often need partners, counterparts…companions. Connecting with these kindred spirits and jointly working towards the goals and ideals of a shared life is often the key to success. When found, and nurtured, these connections are foundational and unbreakable, but must be maintained, cherished, and reinforced for optimal health.
Nick and Darla Hartley, owners of Lion’s Paw Massage, found their companionship and connection in a very serendipitous way. Two strangers, unknown to each other in the bitter cold months of early 2023, the threads of their life were about to cross… with the hesitant typing of a message, the move of a mouse, the click of a button, and reciprocation. This crossing of the thread would eventually lead to the creation of a strong family unit, and the creation of a new business where they could pay their positive experiences forward in Cody.
In the cold winter of 2023, after significant professional and personal upending, Nick was enacting major changes as he contemplated how to move forward with his life goals. He felt that a major lacking in his life had always been that of a quality companion…a quality partner. While mulling on things in Cody, Wy, he began to take small steps to achieve that which he had backburnered and neglected for so long. Against his typical nature he established an online presence, and reprioritized his goals towards happiness in this arena.
Darla spent the icy winter of 2023 relocating to Sioux Falls, SD after her own personal and professional setbacks and adversity. She sought to establish a new life and purpose for her and her daughter in a new place. Quickly re-establishing her foothold and fulfilling their baseline hierarchy of needs, she too set her sights on companionship, connection, and happiness as the next step. Darla proactively and intentionally took steps to increase the chances of attaining a better quality of life and potential partner through an equally unconventional avenue to her.
They found each other in this equally unlikely place to them…online. Physically separated by the better part of a thousand miles, their profiles intrigued each other. Trepidatious but confident, Nick engaged with Darla through long distance correspondence and launched their relationship with the simple click of a button. She reciprocated and clicked back. A bond began forming over the phone as the two explored each other’s minds, character, and intentions.
As a part of rebuilding and reprioritizing his life, Nick was considering Massage Therapy School. He had utilized Therapeutic Massage before for his own healing and grounding, and was very interested in being a practitioner as a part of the next iteration of himself. Darla was maintaining a cautious optimism about the future as she continued to secure a footing in a new place… and continued to entertain the thought of a new companion in her life.
Optimistically looking forward to possible companionship himself, in addition to a new start, Nick headed out to Sioux Falls to scout out the South Dakota School of Massage Therapy, assess potential living conditions, and meet his long-distance interest. Nick and Darla first met on a cool April night in 2023, warmed by each other’s presence and conversation. Their connection was solidified as they talked, connected, and embraced their kindred spirits into the light of dawn. A feeling of “it’s good to see you again” permeated their first meeting, rather than “it’s nice to meet you”.
Nick moved to Sioux Falls in the Summer of 2023 and he and Darla saw increasingly more of each other. They let go of the wheel a bit and relinquished control as they dove into the great unknowns of a new life, a new place, a new connection… a new romance. They began exclusively courting and explored the physical, mental and emotional healing power of great Massage Therapy through Couples Massages early on. They found that the shared stillness, unwinding, unbinding and release that came from a caring and intentional session enhanced their connection and enabled bonding on a whole new level. Their senses were ignited and titillated by the good sessions, while the ones of mediocrity still taught lessons of appreciation.
Both had been very much engaged in their “Fight or Flight” Sympathetic Nervous System due to their own circumstances. Engaging in Couples Massage, throughout their courtship, helped both to engage their “Rest and Digest” Parasympathetic Nervous System through prolonged sessions complete with refreshments, ambiance, and add-ons. This enabled them to see the world, and each other, through a more relaxed and optimistic lense… enabled them to reprioritize together and pursue happiness. Things began to fall into place the more that they let go. As it is said:
“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” – Doe Zantamata
As Nick’s schooling at the South Dakota School of Massage Therapy commenced and continued, their relationship flourished. They trained and practiced massage techniques together, studied coursework together, and continued to get and give massages. As most will discover, all massages are not created equal. Intent, technique, focus, modality, and more importantly… intuition (or lack thereof) can make for an exceptional Massage Therapy experience, or a subprime one.
The two gleaned as much as they could from the good sessions and the bad ones. Adding enhancers to their tool box, and taking note of, but leaving, the detractors added to their skillset. By the Summer of 2024 they were ready to move back to Cody as a new family unit with a renewed purpose, direction, and motivation. Massage Therapy had done so much to heal the both of them individually, and to bring them together as one. A new purpose for them was in utilizing their skillsets and knowledge to bring this service to the community by establishing Lion’s Paw Massage in Cody, Wyoming.
The typing of a message, the movement of a mouse, the click of a button… led to the discovery of a profound connection, a new hope, a new life amongst Nick and Darla… this was amplified by Massage Therapy. Things they enjoyed have been incorporated into their operation at Lion’s Paw Massage. Things that were not well received by them, they were sure to omit unless improved upon.
As Couples Massage was an integral part of their coming together, healing, and connection, they were eager to deliver this service to their new community in Cody and the Big Horn Basin. Launching in November 2024, Saturday Couples Massage at Lion’s Paw Massage has been well received and a resounding success. Nick and Darla utilize their skill, intuition, talent, and warmth to deliver an experience in Cody like no other.
Every Saturday, Nick and Darla perform Couples Sessions which run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Couples, friends, co-workers, or family are welcome to book, unwind, unbind, connect, reconnect, and relax together in a co-located space, complete with ambiance and extras!
For the Valentine’s Month of February, Lion’s Paw will be offering Couples Massages in Cody not only every Saturday, but every Sunday as well! 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Book Your Couples Experience Today!
Book a massage with Lion’s Paw Massage | Cody WY 82414
Nick & Darla Hartley
Owners, Lion's Paw Massage
As a Husband-and-Wife team, Nick and Darla Hartley own and operate Lion's Paw Massage in Cody, Wy. They have been providing a quality Massage Therapy experience since their establishment in 2024 and look forward to continued contribution and engagement with the community as they build their life here.