John Krasinski Knew Emily Blunt Was ‘The One’ When They Met (Exclusive)

John Krasinski, newly crowned PEOPLE’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, knows exactly when he fell in love with his wife of 14 years, actress Emily Blunt.

“The second time I met her? “I don’t know what happened, but I remember someone introduced us, and it was across a room at a restaurant, and I went up to her,” the 45-year-old actor tells PEOPLE in this issue Week. “And when I shook her hand, I just knew.”

Krasinski, who is now raising his daughters Hazel, 10, and Violet, 8, in Brooklyn, says he and Blunt, 41, make sure their work schedules support the girls’ routine. “We definitely try to switch off, we always pay attention to that,” he explains.

“You never want to work at the same time, because it’s not just important to be there for the children. It’s important to us because I think it keeps us completely centered. Listen, it’s a difficult task when you travel around the world, but luckily we have great kids and great friends and family that allow us to take the whole circus with us when we travel.”

Working together on 2018 A quiet placewhich Krasinski co-wrote, directed and starred alongside Blunt, made it easier. “It’s a scary office when you’re trying not to get killed in the sand,” he jokes about the film’s plot. “It was interesting. You know, this process was one of the most exciting I’ve ever had because I’d never worked with Emily before.”

Although the experience was exciting, Krasinski also admits that it was “terrifying.” I remember the night before [production began]Seriously, we went to bed and she turned to me and said, ‘Are you scared?’ And I said, ‘Scared.’ She said, ‘Oh, thank God.’ Me too.” And I thought that would be a really good way to address that instead of faking it and pretending.”

A day or two before filming began, Blunt asked another question. “She said, ‘Do you know how to make this movie?’ And I said, ‘I think so.’ And she goes, ‘Okay, great,'” he recalls. “But it was incredible. Listen, their confidence and talent in this film is the main reason for the success of the film. So it was great.”

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When the couple is not working or actively raising children, they try to find time for date nights. “We love going out to dinner, just going out,” Krasinski says. “The kids will be like, ‘What? Are you going out?’ And it’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s the first time in four months.’ Thanks.” When we go on a date, it’s usually about having dinner and catching up. Because strangely enough, that’s what you don’t always get the chance to do.”

Above all, Krasinski values ​​the life and support system he and Blunt have built together. “It’s that beautiful thing when you’re married to someone, you’re constantly learning and changing and evolving,” he adds. “And I’m so lucky to be able to go through all of this with her.”

For more exclusive interviews and photos from Krasinski, check out this week’s issue of PEOPLE on Friday at the kiosk