The Love Department

Let's get married! Join host Nik Lockhart, former matchmaker and writer on her journey down the aisle. This season we're exploring all things weddings, proposals, and (of course) the nature of love.

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Introducing THE LOVE DEPARTMENT. The heartwarming interview podcast exploring the nature of love and relationships.  Hosted by Nik Lockhart, former matchmaker, writer and philanthropist, this show talks candidly about what love has taught us and all the ways we put love into daily practice.

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

You are cordially invited to the final episode of Season 2 of the Love Department. Join host Nik Lockhart as she details how she and her partner curated a surprise elopement that was meaningful and beautiful. If you or someone you know is planning a wedding soon, hoping to elope, or just dreaming of what it might one day be like, this is a good one to add to your Pinterest board of helpful suggestions. Weddings are just one day, but we hope your marriages last forever.

In this episode we cover:

• How wedding budgets are suggestions at best.
• DIY wedding crafts and buying vintage.
• Honoring your traditions and breaking from the norm.
• How to keep your elopement secret and when/how to share it.
• Keeping your union strong while wedding planning

Thank you to our amazing vendors:

Luna Wedding Studio (wedding photography)

Novo Bridal Beauty (bridal hair)

NL Bridal by Tranquilty (bridal makeup)

Corner Bar (Modern Restaurant in NYC

Pippin Vintage Jewelry (vintage jewelry)

NK Bride (tailoring)

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com for our TLD Merch, exclusive content, or to be featured on the HeartLine. We'd love to connect with you. Xoxo

Their's is a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of love. In this episode of The Love Department, host Nik Lockhart sits down with Abby & Jay. They're the owners of Maple Shade Farm, a wedding venue in upstate New York--in the area they grew up in. What makes this couple unique is that they met in kindergarten (and stood next to each other in the class photo!) These hometown heroes have built a marriage that has lasted 25 years, had 3 kids, and lots of fun.

In this episode we talk about keeping your proposal casual, working with your spouse, finding vendors and planning a wedding that feels authentic, and letting love come back around when it's right.

• MAPLE SHADE FARM https://www.mapleshadefarmny.com/
• Piooin Vintage Jewelry https://pippinvintage.com/
• Season 2 Episode 5 with Tracy & Eddy - on picking wedding vendors
• Season 2 Episode 3 with Kerry Lynn of Love Locked- on buying wedding rings

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com for our TLD Merch, exclusive content, or to be featured on the HeartLine. We'd love to connect with you. Xoxo

On this episode we open up the inbox on our HeartLine to share with you. Hear from The Love Department listeners who discuss “Are Wedding Registries Outdated?” “Showing up Single to a Wedding” and “Asking my Father's Hand”

To leave a message on our HeartLine click here. HeartLine inbox. We’d love to hear how it’s going in your love department.

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com for our TLD Merch, exclusive content, or to be featured on the HeartLine. We'd love to connect with you. Xoxo

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Gather around for another episode of The Heart Line. That's right, we opened our advice mailbox twice this season for our listeners. In this episode, we talk about going solo to a wedding, whether you need to ask your parents' permission to get engaged, and if registering for gifts is out-of-date or still a must-have for your wedding.

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Michael (also known as Misha) and Mario, whose love story began when they went clubbing on Halloween. After just six months of dating, Misha proposed, and now, after a two-year engagement, the couple is planning their wedding for 2026. They have a three decade age gap and their story is one for the ages.

It’s a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and insights on love in all its forms. We cover:

• The challenges and joys of dating in middle age
• Navigating coming out and finding acceptance with parents
• Why a quick proposal can lead to a lasting engagement
• The power of traditional weddings and vows

Referenced in this episode:
"Vows: The Modern Genius of an Ancient Rite" book by Cheryl Mendelsen
"The Last Of Us: Season 1 Episode 3"
"Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller & Kathy Keller

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com for our TLD Merch, exclusive content, or to be featured on the HeartLine. We'd love to connect with you. Xoxo

From their kindergarten class photo, to a grilled cheese proposal, to becoming accidental entrepreneurs, Abby & Jay's love story is one for the books. In this episode of The Love Department, host Nik Lockhart continues to explore season two’s wedding theme by welcoming childhood sweethearts turned wedding venue owners, Abby and Jay.

Abby and Jay share their incredible lifelong journey, which began when they were paired up next to each other in a kindergarten class photo. After moving away, reconnecting this "girl next door" and the "boy next door," were pulled back together.

These hometown heroes have always prioritized comfort, family, and authenticity.

Today, they are the proud owners of Maple Shade Farm—a historic 213-acre estate in their rural hometown of Delhi, New York. They discuss how a dormant 1800s farm organically evolved into a bustling business that has fueled their creative passions, boosted their local economy, and strengthened their bond as a couple who works together.

Check out their stunning wedding venue Maple Shade Farm: www.mapleshadefarmny.com/

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Michael (also known as Misha) and Mario, whose love story began when they went clubbing on Halloween. After just six months of dating, Misha proposed, and now, after a two-year engagement, the couple is planning their wedding for 2026. They have a three decade age gap and their story is one for the ages.
It’s a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and insights on love in all its forms. We cover:

• The challenges and joys of dating in middle age
• Navigating coming out and finding acceptance with parents
• Why a quick proposal can lead to a lasting engagement
• The power of traditional weddings and vows

Referenced in this episode:
"Vows: The Modern Genius of an Ancient Rite" book by Cheryl Mendelsen
"The Last Of Us: Season 1 Episode 3" 
"Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller & Kathy Keller

Support the show

Visit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo