Kiko Lee was adopted on December 7th, 2020 from a family in South Boardman, Michigan.
After seeing his face on a Craigslist ad, I couldn't help but see if he was still available. My friend Jackie and I made the 45 minute trip to meet him, and 20 minutes later, I found myself returning to my Traverse City apartment with a brand new companion.
If it weren’t for that very special cat, I wouldn’t see the world the same way. Since meeting him, the sky is brighter, the birds chirp clearer, and each day is a new adventure.
Living like Kiko means showing up fully for the small moments.
It’s greeting people at the door with enthusiasm, being present for those you care about, and holding the things you love closely. It means letting joy be simple- sunlight on the floor, a warm body nearby, or a familiar routine that makes life feel safe.
Kiko didn’t rush life. He observed it. He admired birds from the window, followed me from room to room, and found comfort in just being close. Living like Kiko means remembering that presence is enough- that love doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
Living like Kiko means trusting your instincts.
When it was time to rest, he let me know. When it was time to play, he invited me in. He listened to his body and honored what it needed. I want to live that way, too- resting without guilt, saying no when something isn’t aligned, and choosing what feels right even when it’s hard.
Living like Kiko means resilience with softness.
He stayed playful and affectionate even as life changed around us. He moved cities, adapted to new homes, and accepted unfamiliar places with curiosity instead of fear. He reminded me that it’s possible to be sensitive and brave at the same time.
Living like Kiko means loving without conditions.
He didn’t care about my job title, my productivity, or my worst days. He loved me when I was lost, when I was rebuilding, when I doubted myself, and when I finally believed again. He loved me when I came home late and when I stayed in all weekend. That kind of love teaches you how to offer the same grace to yourself.
Living like Kiko means finding joy where you are.
He didn’t need a perfect life- but it was a shared one. A routine. A warm place to land. A reminder that life is happening now, not someday.
Kiko taught me that love can be steady, playful, grounding, and transformative all at once. Although I no longer feel his warm body curled up beside me at night, I feel his presence in each way I move through the world.
That’s living like Kiko.
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