Exclusive Interview: Gena Lee Nolin Talks About Love
Part Three of LimeLife's exclusive interview with legendary Hollywood bombshell Gena Lee Nolin.
Gena Lee Nolin is back and better than ever. No, seriously. With two "mommy" shows in development and a motherhood-related book in the works, the former babe from Baywatch and The Price Is Right is trading in her bombshell credentials to portray what she was born to be: a devoted wife, a tireless mom to three busy kids, and a woman who's very self-assured in her identity and career.
Since 2004 Nolin has been married to retired pro hockey player Cale Hulse. In this final installment of her exclusive chat with LimeLife, the 37-year-old reveals the notorious Baywatch co-star she didn't want Cale to mistake her for, what he does to make her feel appreciated and the best relationship advice she's ever received.
LimeLife: Gena, how did you and Cale first meet and what did he do to get your attention?
Gena Lee Nolin: We were set up on a blind date by one of my best friends whose husband played hockey. I was a single mom and I didn't really go out much, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. This was my third blind date from her, and I thought, I'm not doing it [because] he's an athlete and I had all these preconceived notions [about jocks]. But I finally said, "You know what? I'll meet him for coffee."
We were in touch and I told him, "I'll meet you for like 15 minutes at Starbucks," and he's like, [she imitates really upbeat] "Okay, cool!" So I walk in late and decided purposely to put absolutely no makeup on, I dressed down, I thought, This guy, if he thinks Pamela Anderson's walking through the door, he has another thing coming. I just had this sort of "I hate men" type of thing going on. So I walked in and he was gorgeous. I just about died...and he's like, "Gena?"
[Embarrassed, I answered,] "Yeah?"
The first thing going through my head was, Why didn't I put on some makeup? What the hell was I thinking? But we sat in Starbucks for three hours talking about everything under the sun. We had so much in common, he was such a down-to-earth guy, so not the stereotypical athlete. It was unbelievable.
So [my first impression] was like Holy crap he's gorgeous, and then second, we just hit it off.
LimeLife: Tell us about the moment in the relationship when you knew he was a keeper.
Gena Lee Nolin: When he met my son. We were going out for awhile and it was going great. We would have so much fun and just had a lot in common and a lot of the same background and so when I thought, Okay this is really going somewhere, I [realized] He's gotta meet Spence and we'll see what happens.
How he handled Spencer was unbelievable. I was floored. He was so good with him, because Spence can be kind of like, Yeah. You're dating my mom. Beat it. Get lost dude. And he was all of like, six? So he kind of gave [Cale] a little attitude, and I couldn't believe how [Cale] handled it, he just kind of laughed and dealt with Spencer on his level, and I just knew. I was like, Oh my god, this is it. Something is happening here.
LimeLife: How long did you two date before you got married?
Gena Lee Nolin: Believe it or not, because we both knew and it was just so wonderful that it was a little over a year and that was it. He was 30, I was 32, we knew we wanted more children. It was incredible.
LimeLife: How do you deal with home responsibilities together?
Gena Lee Nolin: We are a team to the end. I would have it no other way. In certain circumstances, you have to do the traditional thing. But our relationship and where we are in our careers, we both are hands-on. He's been so super and helpful, and he's close to his kids. It's amazing. He's an incredible dad.
LimeLife: What's something he does to make you feel adored no matter what kind of mood you're in?
Gena Lee Nolin: It's simple. It [doesn't have to be something huge like taking me to] Tavern on the Green. It's as simple as coming behind me and kissing me on my neck and saying ‘I love you.' Or he'll leave these notes: ‘You're such a great mom' or ‘Can't wait for our date night, love you.'
LimeLife: So you do date night together?
Gena Lee Nolin: Yes, we have to. Tonight's date night, so that's why I'm in such a good mood!
LimeLife: Love it! Gena, last question: What's the best love advice you've ever received?
Gena Lee Nolin: Never fall out of love at the same time. It came from a couple that had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and I was blown away. Not every day is perfect, not every day is this love affair, because there are days when it's hard and you really just have to love that person. That's the best advice I've ever received.
Catch up on Part One of our interview with Gena Lee Nolin when she explains why being a mom is even sexier than Baywatch, and Part Two where she shares her struggles with post-partum depression.
