Tami Archer, Gilpin County. Kim and Scott Tompkins have only been married a few short months, but their story spans a lifetime full of trials and tribulations, successes and failures.

Back in 1986, Kim moved in next door to Scott in their hometown of Baytown, Texas, under the watchful eyes of Scott and his friends. During the next five years, they became inseparable best friends. They were together every day. Kim’s mom adored Scott, and she knew that he was the prince her daughter was looking for from the very beginning. But we all know how teenagers are and rebelling against our parents’ sage advice is the number one rule when you are just starting to learn your own way in the world. Kim dated others, even one of Scott’s friends. Relationships came and went for Kim, but the one constant that was always there was her best friend, Scott.

Finally, they decided to give it a go at the tender ages of 18 and 20. It was short-lived, lasting only six months. Scott now admits he wasn’t ready for a relationship like that. “You can’t run a relationship like a business!” he laughs. 

Even though their first attempt at being sweethearts was not a resounding success, they remained the best of friends. A relationship both were so comfortable with.

Over the next 15 years, life happened for both Scott and Kim. Moves, careers, marriages that didn’t last, and bringing children into the world propelled life forward. Kim fondly recalls that Scott was there for her when her children were born, even when their father was not, excitedly pacing in the waiting room with her brother. She remembers times that they would just run into each other, at the store or post office, after many weeks or months. “It was like no day had passed since we last talked,” Kim says with a smile. 

Kim had always loved the idea of the Colorado high country, and in 2004 took a leap of faith, looking for a new start. She uprooted her kids and headed to the Centennial State, and eventually found the perfect spot, Gilpin County. She was able to grab a plot of land that had a tiny cabin on it with hopes of raising her little family in a safe, welcoming place.

Scott, meanwhile, was pursuing a career as a restaurateur and a chef. He took the plunge in 2006 and left Texas, headed for Tennessee. For many years he chased that goal across the country, taking every chance he could to study culinary arts, becoming a certified chef, and even teaching his passion as a guest instructor. He fed everyone he met, from casual fast-food guests to the likes of both Presidents Bush and President Clinton, and even entertainers like Alan Jackson and LeAnne Rimes. But his best friend, his princess, was never far from his mind. 

Then, tragedy struck for Kim. Her mom, her rock, became sick. Kim uprooted her family and high-tailed it back to Texas. By this time, Scott had already landed back in Baytown. It was inevitable they would find themselves yet again leaning on the best friend relationship that both had come to cherish and rely on. But life wasn’t done handing them challenges by any stretch. They both knew that Kim had lung issues, she’d been fighting it for years. In 2009, Kim was dealt the devastating blow, her lungs were failing. Kim buried her beloved mom in 2010, and Scott was a pallbearer. And through all of it, the tears and regrets smothering her, Scott was there for her, best friends.

Scott realized that Kim was his princess. He knew he had to show her, somehow, what she truly meant to him. A plan was devised, and on January 19, 2011, he presented her with a necklace, with Scott’s birthstones and a key. “A key?” Kim was mystified, but Scott cleared that right up! “The key to my heart!” Finally, after years she admitted to herself that Scott did, indeed, have the key to her heart.

Then, in 2013 Scott declared “Let’s go back home to Colorado, that is where your heart is!”, and the pair finally made it back to Gilpin County. His family wasn’t on board at first but came to realize that it was where Scott’s heart was, too. They packed up all of the memories, both good and bad, and headed to God’s country determined to make the life together that had somehow eluded them for so long.

But life wasn’t done handing them challenges. Kim’s lungs deteriorated even faster in the high altitude, and it became clear that her only chance was to find new lungs. Years slowly passed, and Kim was ready to give up. Scott, however, was not. He enlisted the support of her family to convince her to push forward, to be strong, and to take God’s direction. The challenge was clear - financially, emotionally, medically, location, and support. Finance was the biggest one by far. The transplant team wanted a $10,000 guarantee to even approve Kim for the next steps.

Well, one thing this county is known for is unwavering support of our friends and neighbors. Barb and Roy Stewart, along with many friends from Christ the King Community Church, were at the front of the charge, and sent the call far and wide. A benefit was organized for Kim, and Roy’s Last Shot was the host on April 15, 2018.  Much to Kim and Scott’s amazement, the generous donations made the guarantee a, well, guarantee! Donations in hand, the search for new lungs was on and in May of 2018 Kim started the rigorous task of doing what she needed to do to be at the top of the list. Despite setbacks, Kim doggedly pursued her goal for two years, with Scott by her side every step of the way.

In the back of Kim’s mind was her mom’s wish, marry your prince. Scott showed her, over and over, that he had only one princess, his dream girl. His daily focus was on Kim, whatever she needed or wanted he’d make sure she had. From surprise getaways to Glenwood Springs to building a beautiful new house on the same land that once had only a small humble cabin, Scott was relentless. Kim reminds him all the time she is on borrowed time, and Scott rises to the challenge with a never-ending love.

At long last, two amazing things happened. A compatible donor was found, and Kim finally said yes!

Kim got her new lungs on June 23, 2020. After far too many months in the hospital, she fought her way to go home. Wedding plans were the top priority, and on October 24, 2020, surrounded by family and friends, the Prince and Princess tied the knot. 

Although both know it is still an uphill battle, they both recognize that their faith has carried them through. Now they cook for each other (maybe a bit of competition there, Scott’s been cooking for 30 years!), love to go camping and to church, and remember every day that life is a gift. Scott remembers, “We don’t have a perfect marriage, but that’s what makes it good.

Perfect is boring and mundane. Life is about overcoming.” 

Kim says, “Know the buttons, and respect the life-long friendship – that’s the key!”

Kim and Scott still try to make the annual reunion of the “Craigmont Crew” - that group of friends that surrounded them both way back in 1986. Although Kim’s on-going battle has kept them from making an appearance the last few years, they are both confident that once again they will be able to hang out with their long-time friends, but this time as husband and wife!

(Originally published in the February 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)