John Krasinski, recently 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 walked up to her,” the actor, 45, tells PEOPLE in the this week’s edition. “And as soon as I shook her hand, I just knew.”

Now raising their daughters, Hazel, 10, and Violet, 8, in Brooklyn, Krasinski says he and Blunt, 41, are aware that their work schedules support the girls’ routine. “We definitely try to eliminate, we always pay attention to that,” he explains.

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

Working together on 2018 A quiet placethat Krasinski co-wrote, directed and starred alongside Blunt made it easier. “It’s a scary office if you’re trying not to get killed on the sand,” he jokes about the film’s storyline. “It was interesting. You know, that process was one of the most exciting I’d 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 started), really, we went to bed and she turned to me and said, ‘Are you scared?’ And I said, ‘Terrified.’ She said, ‘Oh, thank God. Me, too.’ And I thought this was a really good way to go into it, rather than pretending.

A day or two before shooting began, Blunt asked another question. “She said, ‘Do you know how to shoot this movie?’ And I said, ‘I think so.’ And she says, ‘Okay, great,'” he recalls. “But it turned out to be incredible. Listen, having her confidence and having her talent in that movie is the main reason why the movie is successful. So it was great.”

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When they’re not working or parenting, the couple tries to find time for date nights. “We like to go out to eat, just get away,” Krasinski says. “The kids will ask, ‘What? Are you going out?’ And it’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s the first time in four months. Thank you.’ When we go out, it’s usually dinner and catching up. Because strangely enough you don’t always get the chance to do that.”

Most of all, Krasinski appreciates 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, you’re constantly changing, you’re constantly evolving,” he adds. “And I feel so lucky to be able to experience all of this with her.”

For more exclusive interviews and photos from Krasinski, check out this week’s issue PEOPLE on newsstands Friday