Raving Together, Staying Together – Hard Love Story #2 Nicole & Maurice

When falling in love with hard dance music, it’s certain you will fall into a parallel and mystical world which is incredibly hard to drag yourself out of. You can’t un-see what you’ve seen and participating in the ‘normal’ or otherwise ‘non-150BPM’ world is a struggle.
All of your usual preferences start to shift and fit in with the hard dance ‘lifestyle,’ including where you will spend your Saturday night and even who you jump into bed with! Let’s hold that thought. Who you jump into bed with? Yes, quite literally and by this I’m talking more about relationships.

Believe it or not but your choice in music really does affect your choice in partner and many hard dance fans can vouch for this. You know what they say, “those who rave together, stay together” and today’s story is no exception to the rule! Today, we’re going to tell you all the story of Nicole Waarts and Maurice Nijs, two hard-dance loving Dutchies who fell in love with the music and each other…

Back when she was coming into her teens, Nicole’s interest for Hard Dance music unexpectedly appeared when she started watching “TMF Hakkuh.” The parties featured in the show had her immediately enthralled and although the ‘real’ hardcore was a little too rough for her in the beginning, there was one special DJ that got her attention – Lady Dana. From there, Nicole started listening to hardstyle and discovering its magic; her love for it exponentially grew and although she was too young to attend events, her friends would call her every time Lady Dana was playing. Nicole would always answer her phone, even if it was 3AM!

In 2001, it was Nicole’s time to shine; with her first ever event being Qlimax she was surely in for a treat! She had the night of her life and Qlimax was the turning point for Nicole… She was officially lured over to the dark side and there was no turning back…

Years went by and as Nicole attended more parties and discovered more music, she was then exposed to the magic of Noisecontrollers, her all-time favourite artist! Referring to herself as the biggest Noisecontrollers fan, Nicole collected every piece of merchandise available whether it be fans, beach towels, wristbands, stickers, CD’s and flyers – you name it, she has it!

**A few of the many NC merchandise items Nicole owns**

In 2006, Nicole excitedly got ready to head out to the Heineken Music Hall, blissfully unaware that tonight was the night that marked a change in her life. At the party, she met hard-dance fanatic Maurice Nijs, however it wasn’t love at first sight. As both of them already had a significant other, a relationship was off the table. Instead, a close friendship blossomed between the two, who spoke on a daily basis and partied together at events.

However, one day, everything changed.

Nicole ended up breaking up with her boyfriend and Maurice broke up with his girlfriend. Both felt an undeniable connection that was far more intense than a friendship; leading them both to follow their hearts and start dating. And on the 23rd of October, 2009, Maurice and Nicole were officially boyfriend and girlfriend.

Together, this gorgeous couple went to events together; every night they had together was special as they continued falling in love with the music and each other…

**The lovely couple partying together. Loving music, and each other**

As Maurice was a huge fan of hardcore and industrial and Nicole was more into Hardstyle, they both taught each other more about the genres and of course, Nicole boosted Maurice’s knowledge on her favourite artist, Noisecontrollers.

Years went by for these soul mates who partied together, forever sharing the same passion for music. The pair created countless beautiful memories together and their bond continued to strengthen…

Over six years, the pair had experienced more than 200 parties together and on the 24th of October, 2015, Nicole was in for the surprise of her life! After being treated to a Noisecontrollers gift package with a signed CD and stickers, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a room in a luxurious hotel, Nicole and Maurice went to party it up at Unlocked, where Noisecontrollers was doing his 10 year showcase. A fan like Nicole could NOT miss this!

Around midnight, the couple went to the signing session to meet and greet the man himself. Little did Nicole know that another surprise was right around the corner…

During his set, like always, they stood and danced together in the front row, however at the end of Noisecontrollers’ set, Maurice mysteriously disappeared. Nicole had no clue where her boyfriend had vanished. On-stage, MC DV8 was making a small speech about love for one another and told the crowd that there was a fan that had a special message for a special person… And there was Maurice, standing on stage with Noisecontrollers!

Her two biggest loves, together on that one stage… She began shaking as adrenaline pumped through her veins; what was about to happen was something that she’d only dreamt about and now her dreams were turning into reality… Maurice lowered himself onto one knee and Nicole instantly burst into tears.

“Nicole, I love you. This is what you love. Nicole, will you marry me?”

There was no doubt in Nicole’s mind. She yelled “YESSSS!! OF COURSE I WILL!”

She then climbed up onto the stage and embraced him in the happiest, most loving hug. It was their moment and something imprinted in their memory banks for the rest of their lives. Everybody in the area was clapping, cheering and wishing the best of luck to the ecstatic couple. Noisecontrollers then dropped “Fuck The Noisecontrollers” and the newly engaged couple shared their ‘first dance’ together on stage! After they hopped down, people who they didn’t even know congratulated them on their engagement; Nicole describing it as “a moment of a lifetime.”

After the proposal, Nicole was still in shock and the only thing that she wanted to do was hold her husband-to-be and never let go…

**Video of the proposal**

Fast-forward a few months and the happy couple have confirmed the location for the wedding, which will be held on the 21st of April in 2017, which will mark seven and a half years together! They’re planning their fairy-tale wedding which will be held in a huge mansion with a garden full of romantic statues and flowers. Unfortunately the theme isn’t going to be ‘hardstyle,’ however the couple are going to show what their hearts are fond of and close their wedding with an hour of their favourite tunes! The only thing missing from the evening will be Noisecontrollers himself; but dreams do come true…

“Our relationship is very special. Maurice is not just my lover, but my best friend. He’s my partner in crime and my soul-mate. I couldn’t ever imagine a life without him. He means the world to me!” – Nicole Waarts.

What a beautiful love story! We would like to congratulate Nicole and Maurice on their engagement and we also wish them a beautiful and happy life together! We’re sure that their wedding is also going to be spectacular!

**The happy couple with the legendary Noisecontrollers!**

 

Have a hard love story worth telling? For your chance to get your story featured shoot an e-mail to: cassi@alive-at-night.com