Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.
This week we’re taking a look at A-list Arizona moms in honor of Mother’s Day. Today, meet super-mom and super-star of CBS-5, Nicole Crites.
Every morning her alarm goes off at 2:30am.
She cautiously and quietly gets ready for the day, doing whatever she can to avoid waking her sleeping babies.
By 3am, her hubby walks through the door after hard day (and night) at work. They exchange a quick kiss goodbye, as she sips her to-go coffee, gets in her mini-van, and heads to work.
That’s the Monday-Friday morning ritual for Nicole Crites, co-anchor of the CBS-5 Morning News.
“You can have it all, you just both have to be on the same page. We’re ships crossing in the night; he’s getting home when I’m about to leave,” said Nicole Crites, CBS Television Personality.
Crites is living a true love story.
She’s been married to her husband Dave nearly ten years—but has been with him since she was 14-years old. The local police officer works overnights, while Nicole must arrive in the newsroom by 3:30am; however, the duo practice a dance of balance; resulting in a life of pure bliss.
“I don’t understand why people say marriage is such hard work. It shouldn’t be difficult; if you have a right connection and love one other enough, you should want to be there. It’s a partnership you nurture and enjoy,” said Crites.
This wife, mother, and career-woman says a solid marriage is the foundation for a happy life, but before tying the knot, she was eager to establish herself in the wonderful world of broadcast journalism.
“I always wanted to be in news; my job doesn’t seem like work. I learn something new every day.”
The news junkie went to the University of Arizona, and kicked off her career as a part-time reporter in Tucson. After getting her feet wet in the broadcast biz, she headed to Spokane, Washington to join the on-air team at the CBS affiliate.
During her stint in Spokane, she went on assignment in New York to cover 9/11, one of the most memorable moments in her career.
She also married her high school sweetheart—the only man she’s ever been with.
“No one could ever compare to Dave. We both knew what we wanted.”
In 2004, Crites returned to the Desert Southwest, but this time, to Phoenix. She joined the CBS-5 news team as a reporter, and then became the morning show anchor in 2005.
“I love my job.”
OK, I’m a little biased because Crites happens to be my morning show colleague, but take it from me—the girl is a wonder-woman.
