Calling Mikaela Shiffrin the queen of snow wouldn’t be too wrong, especially after her 100th World Cup on February 23, 2025. But for her, the win was a bit surprising as she put it: “I would say it’s almost a surprise after everything that’s happened in the last months.” To come back within 2 months of a freak stab-like accident on the track and start competing needs guts. More so, when the trauma of the injury keeps haunting you.

And you know the thing about fear. They like ganging up on you at your vulnerable self. The PTSD also brought back her father’s memories, having lost him in an accident. Being closest to him meant her grief was that much painful. The Olympian endured all this darkness during the last few months. Without her special someone’s help, she would have found it difficult to cope with life. Therefore, she took to social media to tell the world about her lucky charm.

On March 6, Mikaela Shiffrin took to Instagram to write her heartfelt digital letter for her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The post went: “Bout time for an @akilde appreciation post…this has been a challenging season on many levels but this guy puts everything into perspective.” If not for perspective, Mikaela couldn’t have come out of her injury and setbacks with a stronger mindset. You can see it one way – awful things happen to put you down. Or awful things teach you what you need to learn.

It’s simple words. But read them twice, close your eyes, and you get it in a trice.

Like after everything that’s happened, as she went through the recovery and returned to the snow, she learned how her mind was acting against her instincts, afraid the body might get hurt again. She narrated to CNN, “There is this kind of mind-body disconnect. I’m telling myself to do certain technical moves, and it’s just not happening. My body’s screaming at me, it’s like a fight or flight: ‘No, don’t do it, it’s risky, it’s dangerous.’”

But being Mikaela, everything else had to give in to her will. How else can a person return so fast from a puncture wound to the abdomen suffered on November 30?

Moreover, Aleksander’s approach to life helped her overcome the challenges. As her letter for her fiancé continued: “His positivity and spirit while dealing with his own injuries and continued recovery has been an absolute inspiration for me and so many others.” For anybody who doesn’t know, Mikaela’s fiance is also a skier, and he has 2 Olympics medals to his name. However, an occupational hazard hit him hard in January 2024. It has hit him hard enough to keep him from the snow for over a year.

In a downhill crash in Wengen, Switzerland, he dislocated his shoulder, suffered a deep cut with nerve damage in the calf, and also had an infection. He has been undergoing multiple surgeries to ensure he recovers properly in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, what’s necessary is how he took it. In an Instagram pic from February 2024, fans saw Mikaela enjoying Aleksander’s company as he lay reclined with his left arm in a sling while he read a book.

Now you know what kind of guy Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is. When you have such a personality as company, no way any trauma or injury or dark thoughts could have affected Mikaela. Her fiance is like the perfect antidote for pain and sad feelings. She is always a bundle of joy, giggling, smiling, and glowing when she spends time with him.

“I’m so thankful that I get to hold his love in my heart🫶☺️💗.” With Aleksander beside her, the 29-year-old can conquer more and more titles because his way of life allows her to be her best self on the snow.

With such an amazing dynamic and great people, it makes us curious how and when they met. Here’s how it all started.

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde give you couple goals!

Aleksander announced in 2021 via Instagram that they were in a relationship. It all started when Aleksander sent condolences to Mikaela after her father’s untimely passing. As they started talking, the Olympians connected and shared, and they grew closer to each other.

In fact, the 30-year-old Norwegian shared with Olympics.com in April 2024 how they complement each other: “What I find really cool is that we can share experiences and have conversations about things I can’t really have with anyone else. She has a lot of experience; I have some experience and we can make each other better.”

What makes it fateful and destiny that their paths had crossed before, almost 7 years ago at the Alpine Ski Racing World Cup in Chile. Maybe it wasn’t the right time in Chile. It was one of the lowest points in the life of Mikaela when she lost her father, her biggest well-wisher, her best friend, who would always take care of her.

Aleksander’s positivity and spirit probably re-energized her. Thanks to his strong presence and influential personality, Aleksander has been instrumental in Mikaela’s achievements.

He is literally her cheerleader. No, we are not kidding. He loves hyping his fiancée up, as evident from his Instagram post after February 23. The caption read: “I know you hate the GOAT talk – but sometimes your man should be allowed to brag 🐐”

After 3 years of dating, they got engaged in April 2024, taking another step toward building a beautiful life together. He is so proud of her accomplishments. As for being the perfect partners, Aleksander doesn’t feel challenged or weirded out by Mikaela’s competitive nature, even when they are doing something trivial like signing photographs. They each have their own quirks.

What a cute couple, I say.