The Leading Man

I figure it grossly past time to officially introduce you to the leading man of this blog, JJTulum, and well my life of course! He a part of my daily life, every aspect of our business and consequently many blog posts. I could write a entire book on who he is and what makes him so wonderful, but according to the Chinese proverb, "a picture is worth ten thousand words," so here are 380,000 words in pictures (yes, this is the abbreviated version ;0) ha), a bit about our journey together thus far! With no further ado, I present to you Devin! Enjoy...

Devin and I met as I was finishing up my nursing degree and he was working at a nursing assistant, while applying for medical school. I thought him much to gorgeous, athletic, and intelligent to not be a jerk, and consequently I quickly wrote him off very quickly. His tenderness with patients, selflessness, hard work ethic, sweet spirit, and contagious smile finally won me over and I realized he was not only handsome, he was truly the most amazing man I had ever met. We started dating a few months later and oh the adventures we had! Devin does not like to sit still and loves getting out and doing things, it was so much fun to date him!

He popped the question ten months later, on Easter, with both family there (my one request). He knew me well and knew he had to distract me so that I would not suspect something was up. The distraction...competition! I am one of the most competitive people and so when I found the "golden egg" on the traditional Easter egg hunt I did not think anything more than...I WON!!! In the egg was the first clue to a treasure hunt. The last clue read..."Now it is time for your big surprise, hold out your hand and close your eyes..." Still oblivious, I followed the directions expecting someone to hand me a big fat chocolate bunny. The second he touched my hand I knew, though, and in that moment every dream came true, he made me the happiest woman in the world!

We had a short engagement, but made the most of it. I graduated from my nursing program and took my Boards, he was accepted to medical school, we traveled, planned a wedding, and soaked up a beautiful Northwest summer in five short months!

We married on 08.16.08 as the 16th was always our special day and well let us face it, it is no secret how OCD I can be. The day was perfect. We were both relaxed and just had the time of our lives. I feel unspeakably blessed to have found my soul mate so young and our wedding day was a testimony to that love!

After getting married we enjoyed a remote honeymoon and then some months at home with our loved ones before moving out to our new home in New York. It has been an adventure with beautiful scenes and not so glamorous moments, but it has brought us so close together and has taken our relationship to a place where I can truly say, I married the perfect man for me! Devin is not only my best friend, but my confidant, my encouragement, support, and accountability.

Life is very different now with opposite schedules and a full-time medical student, but who Devin is and his love for life still shines through. He loves his family deeply, has strong convictions, and loves to live life, even when it is in between months of non-stop studying! I said it within the first few months of our relationship and it is no less true today, I feel more myself when I am with Devin than when we are apart. He just has that effect...he makes people feel valued, loved, important, and free to be themselves. Thanks for letting me introduce Devin to you, for those of you who do not know him! Have a wonderful day!