How Amanda Kloots and Her Son Remember Nick Cordero Each and Every Day

The pandemic has been devastating for families across the country, including Amanda Kloots and her 16-month-old son, Elvis. But the pair have been keeping Nick Cordero’s memory alive in their home every day.

Cordero, a Broadway star, passed away in July at the age of 41 after spending 13 weeks in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications. Ever since, Kloots, 38, and Elvis start their day by playing some of Cordero’s music. They end the day by looking at pictures of him before bedtime. In July, when Elvis said his first word, it was “Dada.”

“We say goodnight to Dad and give Nick a kiss,” Kloots, the founder of AK! Fitness and fitness instructor told PEOPLE.

Their home is also filled with reminders of Cordero, including a rug in the living room that says “Live Your Life” (the title of one of Cordero’s songs), a family painting made by an Instagram follower, and a pillow that has printed photos of him.

Kloots added that her son has been a light in the dark for her and reminds her of Cordero often. "Anytime I’m sad, he brightens my mood in two seconds. He looks at me with his big smile and his little teeth, and I’m instantly transported into a different mood,” she told the outlet, adding, “ “Elvis is just calm and cool. He gets along with everybody. I think that’s very much Nick.”

Kloots’ house is also filled with reminders of Nick, including a family painting, a rug that says “Live Your Life,” the title of one of Cordero’s songs, and a printed pillow covered in photos of him. They help Kloots feel her late husband’s presence watching over them.

“We have this beautiful little boy that we created together,” she said. “I love watching him grow, and I know Nick is watching him too.”

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