Leyla Nedin is living proof that you can come home again.
A native of Tequesta, Leyla met a boy named Jim Nedin
when they both were busing tables at the Jupiter Crab
Company in the late 1980s. They dated for one year, then she
left for Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., and earned
a bachelor's degree in elementary education.
Jim stayed in South Florida and became an electrician.
Then Leyla and Jim did all the usual things. Both got
married and had children — he had a daughter, Ashley, and
she had two boys, Gavin and Jack. Along the way, Leyla
enlarged her family by adopting her niece when Leyla's
sister was diagnosed with mental illness.
By the time Jim and Leyla reunited, both were divorced
and had four children between them. Leyla was teaching
school outside Philadelphia and Jim, who won sole custody of
his daughter, was working as an electrician.
One day, on a whim, Jim checked out www.classmates.com,
found Leyla's name and sent her an e-mail. The subject line
said, "Regarding Jim Nedin," and the text of the message
simply said, "Call me."
It took a few days, but Leyla finally called.
"I was nervous but we talked for hours. Within a few
weeks, I flew down to see him," she said.
The couple was determined to start a life together. Jim
quit his job and sold everything, then he and Ashley moved
to Pennsylvania, where Leyla taught school for one more
year.
Their wedding took place three years ago in September and
they moved to Jupiter Farms in November 2002. Leyla teaches
first grade at Lake Park Elementary School and Jim recently
quit his job to start a home-based business and to be a
stay-home dad to the three younger children who are 6, 7 and
8 years old. Leyla's niece is 19 and attends Florida
Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Leyla said being back in Jupiter is perfect.
"These are my roots," she said.
And now that they are settled, the couple is using a
creative approach to juggling the demands of work and
raising children.
They ventured into the world of inflatable birthday
party attractions. They bought bounce houses, waterslides
and an 16-foot-high obstacle course with a climbing wall.
They named their burgeoning business Nedin To Bounce.
"Now Jimmy is home with the kids and he's available to
set up parties," said Leyla.
Once again, Leyla says everything feels right.
"I don't think I could start a business that wasn't
child-centered," said Leyla, adding that they settled on
party rentals because of their own frustration in planning
birthday parties for their children.
"I always struggled to create the perfect party," she
said. "(But) how many times can you go bowling?"
The Nedins charge $100 a day for the bounce house on
weekdays, $135 on weekends. The larger items go for more and
prices are listed on their Web site (www.nedintobounce.com).
Despite the fact that they are supporting four children
on a teacher's salary while they get the business going,
Leyla is optimistic about the future. Maybe it's because
they have their priorities in order.
"You know, the kids help with everything. I believe in
teaching them how to work together as a family! We all chip
in around here... (but) we put the kids to bed at 8 o'clock
on school nights and we make some time for ourselves."