Jenny Poon and Odeen Domingo | Married 13 years
Jenny Poon, founder and CEO of HUUB
Odeen Domingo, co-founder and CEO of CO+HOOTS
How did your love story begin? Jenny: We were both young aspiring journalists, and we both applied and were accepted into a journalism internship program for people of color called Chips Quinn Scholars, led by the Freedom Forum, to bring greater diversity to the newsrooms across the country. We met during orientation in Washington DC, January 2004, and immediately connected. I was intrigued by his life, growing up in tropical Guam, being Filipino and the light he brought to every room. We had a lot in common, even though I grew up in frigid Midwestern Minnesota. We laughed a lot and just became good friends. Odeen then went to Arizona for his internship; I went to Oregon. We dated long distance for a few years as I hopped around the country. I finally found my way to Arizona, and we’ve been here ever since.
Odeen: When I went to D.C. for that orientation week, I was 23, single and not looking for a relationship at all. The first night before the orientation week began was the first time I saw Jenny, who was 20 then. A group of us were going out to eat at the time Jenny was checking into the hotel. When I first saw her, I thought, “Wow. This girl is way out of my league. But I am not looking for a relationship anyway.” So I introduced myself, asked her if she was part of the same internship program and invited her to join the group for dinner. The next day, during a group lunch at a sushi restaurant, Jenny had said she was worried she couldn’t afford her meal so I decided to buy her lunch. I’d like to believe we have been inseparable since then–except when we decided to try a long-distance relationship. I did surprise her a couple of weeks later telling her I’m flying to Oregon the next day and asked if she could pick me up for the airport.
Favorite thing about one another: Jenny: His humor and kind eyes. His unending patience. Odeen: Jenny is kind, hilarious, beautiful, super thoughtful and amazingly smart and driven. Everything she does, her goal is to create positive impact for others. Oh, and she still laughs at my jokes, no matter how dumb they are.
Favorite date night: Jenny: My favorite date night we’ve ever had was stargazing in Hawaii. But my every day date night is a quiet home-made dinner made by Odeen (he is an amazing cook) cuddling up on the couch and putting on a movie. Odeen: My favorite date nights with Jenny involved just being alone with her and just really be present with each other, talking, asking each other questions, continuing to learn about each other. A love that lately has actually been in the mornings when we go to a local coffee shop, just us.
Favorite tradition you have as a couple: Jenny: We make sure to hug every day. Odeen: Our daily hugs, kisses and telling her she’s beautiful.
What does your happily ever after look like? Jenny: Eventually, we will sell our businesses and travel the world with our family. We will watch our kids grow up to be strong, independent people. And we will continue to laugh through all the wild challenges the world throws at us. Odeen: Jenny said it best. That would the most amazing future and a life well-lived.