It's been more than two years since Nikki Bella and her Dancing With the Stars pro husband, Artem Chigvintsev, welcomed their first baby into the world. And now that their wedding special is finally airing, fans are finding out how hard it really is for them that Artem's parents haven't met 2-year-old Matteo yet.
Artem and Nikki opened up about the situation on their special
Though the couple got married in August, their E! special, Nikki Bella Says I Do — which covers the wedding prep and the wedding itself — just premiered last week. In it, Nikki and Artem get the chance to share their thoughts about how hard it's been not to be able to see Artem's parents. Considering the situation in Russia, it's been impossible for them to leave the country.
"It's been challenging because you feel like you've been cut off from that world, which has been really frustrating. Sometimes I feel helpless," he said.
Artem's first priority in wedding planning was having his family there
"My biggest issue is I'm not planning on getting married again, and I want to make sure my parents can be there, and my family can be there and my brother. They've never met Matteo, and it'd be the perfect way of them meeting our son," he said on the show.
He went on to point out that it's "not normal" that his parents have never been able to hold their grandchild.
"It's ludicrous that that's the case. God forbid if my parents never meet my son in person, that would be the most devastating thing. You can never get that back."
He got emotional talking about his parents
"My parents live their lives for my brother and I," he said. "You're supposed to grow up and take care of them. I feel so hopeless in that sense. I can't even send them money anymore."
It must be so difficult for Artem not to be able to see or care for his parents, especially with the political situation in Russia right now.
Nikki was disappointed too
She called Artem a "realist," admitting that it's hard because he doesn't have any of his own family in America the way she does, especially since she's someone who comes from a super-tight-knit family.
"It makes me so emotional because I'm all about family. Family is number one in my life. My son doesn't get to meet his grandparents," she said. "I'm starting to realize that getting married in Napa Valley is not going to work."
Ultimately, Artem's parents weren't able to make it to the wedding
The couple got married in Paris at the end of the summer, and despite their best efforts, it ended up being impossible for Artem's parents to leave Russia to be there for the big day.
Here's hoping that Artem is able to see his parents again soon. This must be such a difficult time for him.
