Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Tebow Look Forward to their Future: ‘There’s So Many Things That We Know Are in Store’ (Exclusive)

Tim Tebow instinctively knew it would be tough for his wife, Demi-Leigh Tebow, to write her upcoming book, A Crown That Lasts, especially the chapter in which she faced her ongoing pain over the loss of her late sister, Franje.

“I think [Demi-Leigh] was still trying to get to a place where she felt comfortable and equipped to do it,” reflects Tim, 36, in a recent interview with PEOPLE. “Seeing the courage that it took for her to start the process and then go through some of the hard things and the vulnerable things, and then working through it in order to share it was a beautiful thing to witness.”

“Tim is my greatest cheerleader,” Demi-Leigh, 29, gushes to PEOPLE. “I’m thankful to have him as a sounding board in my life. He’s not just my partner. He’s so much more than that.”

It’s been almost five years since the committed couple became husband and wife, and it’s those years that have been special ones, filled with more adventures than the two can count. 

“I can’t even tell you how many countries we’ve been to together,” Tim explains. “I know just this year we’ve already been in 11 different countries together, and so we’ve gotten to see so much of the world and gotten to see so many incredible people around the world. Being able to have an impact on their lives and have them impact our lives has been so special.”

Certainly, the two have remained committed to causes and companies that live out the values and ideals that they hold close to their heart. For example, the former NFL player says that their work with Cincinnati-based Nehemiah Manufacturing has been nothing short of completely fulfilling.

“They really are supporting so many families in giving people a second chance at life,” explains Tim. “The ripple effects that we’ve already seen are so far beyond just giving someone a job and we just can’t wait to see it continue for more men and women that need a second chance.”

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“I also love that every one of these are products that we use every day,” laughs Demi-Leigh of Nehemiah Manufacturing, who produces household necessities such as Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pens and Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray. 

Because yes, Tim can be a tad messy.

“I have spilled a good amount of things on me,” Tim laughs. “There’s been quite a few times there’s been something on a white shirt of mine right before getting on TV or going to an event or stepping on a stage to give a speech.”

“It’s been more than a few times,” adds the former Miss Universe.

Because despite what it may look like on the outside, Tim and Demi-Leigh both say that they are just like everyone else. “We definitely get discouraged,” Tim says quietly. “Sometimes you can feel like you get knocked down or you can feel like you can get overwhelmed. And I think that’s where we need each other.”

With all that they have accomplished as a couple, there seems to be so much more on the horizon. “When we think about the next five years, there’s so many things that we know are in store,” says Tim. “It’s about more than what we have in common. It’s what we have in purpose. And so, we know that as long as we have breath, we have that purpose that we really want to live out.”

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And living a good life means having many reasons to celebrate, including the couple’s five-year wedding anniversary in January. But Tebow admits he has nothing planned quite yet. “We just got done celebrating [Demi-Leigh’s] birthday,” Tim says of his wife’s birthday on June 28. “We’ll have to do something fun for it for sure.”

“Tim [is] a really good surprise planner,” adds Demi-Leigh. “He always has something up his sleeve to make me feel so special. I’m sure we’re going to do something.”