Devanee and Taqiy Cousins were a couple whose love story was as remarkable as their individual journeys. Both teachers, they were deeply committed to their students and their community, believing wholeheartedly in the transformative power of education. Their passion for learning wasn’t confined to their classrooms; it extended into their own lives, constantly driving them to grow, evolve, and dream.
From the moment they met, Devanee and Taqiy started off as really good friends. Taqiy, a soft-spoken, funny, and sarcastic but incredibly dedicated educator, had a way of making every student feel seen and heard. Devanee, on the other hand, was vibrant and compassionate, inspiring her friends, family and student with her boundless energy, enthusiasm and incredible story. Together, they built a life based on shared values—commitment to education, integrity, and, above all, their dream of one day having a family.
But life, as it often does, presented them with unforeseen challenges. In Devanee’s senior year of highschool, three days before her 18th birthday, she was diagnosed with a rare Stage 4 Cancer call DSRCT (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Sarcoma). The diagnosis shook her world. Despite the aggressive treatment plan and countless hours spent in hospitals and doctors’ offices, Devanee faced each obstacle with incredible strength, refusing to let the disease define her.
She survived, against all odds, emerging as a fierce and resilient woman. But the treatments had come with a heavy price: Devanee was no longer able to bear children of her own. The dream of carrying a child and nurturing a life within her was a heartbreaking loss, but despite the heavy price, a new prize emerged. In 2022, while she was in the hospital in Georgia fighting for her life, Devanee and Taqiy met. He was the answer to all of her prayers. From then on, Devanee & Taqiy became a team. Taqiy, ever supportive, reminded her that there were many ways to become parents, and they would find the right path for them.
Their shared love for education and strong family values gave them the resilience they needed to face this new chapter. They had always been determined—both of them had worked tirelessly to achieve their academic and professional goals, even while managing the demands of teaching full-time. After being friends and partners for over a year, Taqiy, proposed to Devanee in December of 2023 and they were married in April of 2024. From then on, they continue to be driven, focused, and believe in the power of working toward something greater than themselves.
Taqiy is currently working in his master’s degree in Music Education, and Devanee is now her own degree in Nursing. But as they continued to excel in their careers, their hearts yearned for the family they imagine and talk about everyday. They continue to explore adoption and fostering, knowing that while Devanee couldn’t carry a child, there were children who needed loving homes—homes filled with the kind of warmth, education, and love that they could provide. Their lives were dedicated to growth, both personal and professional, and they were ready to bring that same commitment into their family life.
Despite the pain of their infertility, they remained optimistic. Devanee’s cancer diagnosis had taught them the fragility of life, but it had also shown them the power of resilience, love, and perseverance. Together, they dreamed of the future—of the children they would teach, the lessons they would impart, and the family they would create, even if it didn’t look like what they had once expected.
As they continued their studies, balanced their careers, and planned their next steps as potential parents, Devanee and Taqiy knew that their story was far from over. It was just the beginning of a new chapter—one that would be filled with love, education, and hope. Though the path ahead was uncertain, they were ready to walk it together, driven by their unwavering belief that family was built not just by blood, but by the strength of heart, spirit, and shared dreams.