Jillian and Desi are getting married in Portland, Oregon this coming July, but are currently living and teaching in Turkey! Since their photographer, Evrim Icoz, is from Turkey and had a trip back home planned, they got to do their engagement shoot in Turkey!!

Meet Jillian and Desi….

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

How they met:

We met in Phoenix, AZ while Desi was teaching in Izmir, Turkey. I had recently moved to Phoenix to teach, and the year before Desi left Phoenix for Turkey. So when I moved into my new classroom, I moved into the hallway that Desi left. I inherited all of Desi’s closest colleagues and friends as my own. They really took me under their wing to teach me the ways of the school, and take me in during holidays since I moved there alone from Portland. They started telling me about their friend, Desi. Apparently, they were telling Desi about me too. So eventually, Desi came back to visit one January, on holiday from Turkey. He strolled into my life, that one, late school night in January, on a Parent Teacher Conference night. We went on some dates that weekend, and enjoyed our new, united group of mutual friends. He flew out of my life for the rest of his school year in Turkey. But of course we stayed in touch with the help of skype and msn messenger. He flew me out to Turkey to visit too that year. It seemed like a fairy tale…

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

How long they’ve been together:

5 years

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

The day he proposed:

December 28th, 2009

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

How he popped the question:

We were in Nha Trang, Vietnam on winter break. I had just gotten over food poisoning, and it was my first time eating and going out. I was asking him a trivia question as we walked on the beach after dinner, literally under the moonlight, and he kept refusing to answer. I kept bugging him about my question. Then suddenly, he fell down. I thought he had hurt his knees. I asked him if he was okay and if his knees hurt. He asked me to marry him. I didn’t believe him (we had recently talked about marriage, and we decided we were content with not rushing. Plus, Desi is quite the prankster)! I kept saying, “You’re joking! You’re joking!” Desi was definitely not amused. That was not the reaction he expected out of me. He reassured me he was completely serious. So then of course, I agreed! It was definitely a rush of emotions thinking he was injured, to thinking I was the next victim of one of his antics, to be planning a new life together!

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

At what moment did you know he was the one?

I think the support from our mutual friends was a huge indication those first two years, and that feeling reminds me everyday of how lucky we are to have each other and what we’ve worked for. However, maybe a larger realization occurs, and that is the tough time that life brings. I know he is the one when we, unfortunately, have to conquer arguments, sickness, injuries, loss of loved ones…there’s no one else that I trust more with my emotions and well-being than Desi. And there is no one else that I could support so unselfishly and effortlessly during these obstacles than Desi. When life is good, it’s easy, enjoyable. But when life takes a turn for the worse, you need that reliable, best friend and partner that stays and supports you. Those are the moments that I always know he is for me.

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

At what moment did you know she was the one?

I knew Jill was the one for me when she was okay with teaching overseas. Not many people are willing to leave their friends and family to go traveling around the world, especially with me. My mother had passed away while we were in China and Jill was my pillar of strength during one of the most difficult times in my life and I am so thankful for having her in my life. Jill is the most compassionate and caring person I have ever met, being with her makes me wants to be a better person.

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

What are you most excited about on the wedding day?

Jillian: We have lived in Arizona, China, and now, Turkey together. We have never had the chance to settle down together in Oregon or Ohio (where we are each from) and for this reason, have had to leave behind our friends and family for the better part of each year. When we start over again in a new place, we have always been fortunate enough to build up a group of lovely friends that functions as our surrogate family while we are far away. On our wedding day, our family and friends from home and overseas are coming together for us (and some have quite long journeys). I am just beside myself to have them all together in Portland! We get to show them my favorite city on Earth AND share our commitment with them. I am a lucky girl all the way around.

Desi: I am most excited about celebrating our commitment to each other with our close friends and family.

Photo by Evrim Icoz Photography

Champagne: Thank you, Jillian and Desi for sharing your love story with us! We feel honored that you chose to work with us and can’t wait to be a part of your wedding day!!

Cheers,
Mandi & the Champagne team