Chris Mitchell was a close friend and former fiancée of Dennis Hess, the former owner of Denim & Diamonds. Because space constraints and other complications prevented her from being quoted in the October 14 feature, "Denim & Death," she contributed this piece, sent to The Pitch via e-mail, for inclusion in our continuing coverage of the story.
Mitchell writes:
Dennis Hess was the love of my life.
We met about 15 years ago at Denim & Diamonds. He had his perch in the bar where he could sit and see most everything going on. It was from his favorite spot, a railing on the riser nearest the main bar, that he asked me out for the first time. That date started with my first visit to Corner Cafe, included a visit to his hometown of Atchison, Kansas, and ended enjoying the stars on his porch swing. That was the beginning of our years together.
Although I can't speak for the years between his last divorce and the beginning of our relationship, I would hardly describe Dennis as being "relatively unattached" before meeting Lena [Hess]. Dennis shared his love for Denim & Diamonds with me, but it was the sharing of his love for the friends he made there and the love of his family which I cherish most. He asked me to marry him on my birthday in 2002, and we were engaged when we met Lena.
There were times we weren't together. He had a relationship with Karyn Grounds and her allegations of abuse have been mentioned.
I was in a committed relationship with Dennis far longer than Karyn and
Lena combined. Was Dennis abusive? No. While I was attracted to Dennis
himself, Karyn and Lena had something in common: They were attracted to
what Dennis had. They wanted his bar and control over his life. They
abused the legal system to regain control when things weren't going
their way.
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I just wish Dennis could rest in peace. I wish everyone would stop pointing fingers and trying to lay blame. INSTEAD of simply remembering a wonderful life that was lost. Lets concentrate on remembering and celebrating Dennis and leave the judging for the man up stairs.
He is greatly missed!
GREAT STORY CHRIS DAVID AND I LOVE IT, HE WOULD SO PROUD OF YOU FOR DOING THIS STORY, THAT WAS THE DENNIS WE LOVE WITH THE SMILE AND THE LIGHT IN HIS EYES, I LOVED SITTING AT THE END OF THE BAR WITH HIM AND HAVING A DRINK AND LISTEN TO HIM STIR UP SHIT, LOTS OF MEMORIES AND FRIENDSHIPS MADE THREW THE YEARS DOWN THERE , GREAT STORY
I know of other people that had gotten married at D&D. I would love to know how many couples did get married down there!
Thank you for posting this letter written by Chris. She is not only a wonderful person herself but what she wrote about Dennis is 1 million percent correct! Dennis did have a heart of gold. Mike and I have cried many times since his death and wished he'd never met Lena. There were times when I was disgruntled over something Dennis had said or done but he always had his reasons. The day Mike and I were married on the dance floor at D&D was the best day ever. Dennis shared his bar that day and made us feel like it was ours for the day. How sad we are that he is gone and we'll never be able to walk back in there until Dennis' family are the rightful owners. I'm so glad Dennis, his bar and all the family and friends are part of my life. I am a better person for it!
It's probably not linked because it says nice things about Dennis... Nice things don't get people to reading the paper.... Mean and hateful things do.
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Why isn't this article connected to all the other articles about Dennis. This is the best one yet. It truly tells about the real Dennis and it's from an ex girlfriend. I wouldn't have even known it was out there if I hadn't crossed looking around at other stuff. It is really nice to see someone talk about Dennis in his true light.
The only true and real pictures during this whole article writing are posted above.
There is a smile and then there is a look of joy. Only the true to heart know the difference.
I believe that Chris Mitchell was one of the few women that Dennis had ever had in his life that understood him, respected him and loved him for just him with no motive. I cant say that I ever heard him refer to having to ever give her anything.
The amount of loss she feels is unquestionable, unresovable, and without a doubt a very sad ending to what could have been a spactular life together.
It goes without saying that Karma is unpredious. The happiness that Chris Mitchell gave without warrant or expectation will be with her an eternity and will not go unremembered by his friends and family.
Chris,
Michelle & I read this together over our early morning phone call and needless to say we both became very emotional...The pictures are some of the best I've seen of you & Denny...The article was long overdue!!! I know you will help keep his memory alive for his family and all the dear, dear friends that he's had for years. And you know that you are always invited to all family get-togethers..Hess side and my side...Denny use to love those kind of things, because we all got along so well...all the ex's were welcome!!!!!
Sincerely,
Diane
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