Rebecca Akins Hood

Rebecca Akins Hood

If anyone has had the opportunity to meet and know Mrs. Rebecca Akins Hood, they should count themselves blessed. She is the epitome of a Southern Lady. She carries herself with dignity and grace.  She has been through some trying times; but to meet her, and see her smile, you would have no clue.

She is someone that I just enjoy running into.  Any time that I do, I leave with a smile on my face.  She just has such an uplifting spirit. 

I am so happy to share this interview.  One of the things that I love best about these interviews are that I have the opportunity to learn new things about people that I've just met, as well as people that I've known for years.  I hope that you enjoy her interview.  Mrs. Rebecca is most certainly a gem.

What was a favorite memories as a child?

One of my favorite memories as a child was when my mom's side of the family got together every Christmas Eve. We all dressed up, they used the fine china...even for us kids.  We sang Christmas songs, we ate a delicious meal (that all the adults helped prepare), and we exchanged gifts.  Somehow, we were all together and nobody was absent. 

Rebecca's parents holding her.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was little I wanted to be a baby doctor.  Then, I learned that some babies die and that changed my dream to teacher. Since then my dream job has changed a gazillion times. I've always wanted to help people, just haven't always been sure how. 

Rebecca and her father

Favorite memories with your dad?

My dad and I used to go for long walks or bike rides. We talked the entire time. I remember that I would talk to him about everything under the sun.  I knew that when we ran out of something to talk about, he would drill me with multiplication questions. The time set aside for just me made me feel so special. 

Rebecca and her mother

Favorite memories with your mom?

When I went shopping with mom, we usually ended the trip with a meal at Ruby Tuesday. She always ordered a Virgin pina colada for me. She ordered herself a drink too, but now, I can't remember what she would get. Either way, it made me feel so special (and so grown up). 

Raymond and Rebecca on their wedding day.

How did you meet your husband?

I met Raymond at ABAC. I was tired of studying (or trying to avoid studying)...so I went to the tractor shop where I knew that my friend was working on the tractor pull sled for the upcoming pull. My friend and another guy were under the sled and they would not come out to talk to me. So, I found a creeper (the slidy things that mechanics use to roll under the vehicles) and I got on it and rolled under the sled to talk to them.  That's where I met him; under a sled. After that, we didn't date for a while.  I was traveling back home every weekend to visit mom, who was battling cancer at that time. He had lost his dad when he was young, so we had a lot to talk about that few people our age understood. We started dating, and then he got a job in Texas; and then later, California.  Just when I thought about breaking off the long-distance relationship, he would send flowers or a gift or would show up to surprise me. 

What is the key to a happy marriage?

I'm not sure what the key is to a happy marriage. That would be a question for the couples who have been married a lot longer than us. What works for us is having God in our relationship; being friends; being willing to talk, and pushing the other one to talk, when we disagree. It also helps that I'm forgetful and I don't remember that I'm supposed to be holding a grudge. Raymond is also very forgiving. We started our marriage in a town a few hours away from either family and I believe that helped us learn to depend on each other. 

Rebecca, JJ, and Raymond

What is something that most people don't know or understand about the adoption process?

There are so many kids who need a safe, forever home. There is straight adoption, with little or a bit of contact with the birth family.  There is foster-to-adopt, also, with little or a bit of contact with birth family (depending on the case). Adoption is not as out-of-reach as it seems. While there is a lot of paperwork and "red tape" to get through, and it can vary in cost, the kids are worth it! We are so thankful that Todd and Mariam Newton introduced us to the foster-to-adoption process. I love to share our story and teach people about this. 

If you could sum up JJ in one word, what would it be?

Wow! It's hard to sum up JJ in one word. I guess I would choose adventurous. He's all boy and loves to get dirty, play with trucks, ride his bike, and he's always in discovery mode.

Who is your hero?

I don't have just one hero, I have many. 1. The person who stopped and prayed with my sister just after her first major accident.  Later, the nurses who cared for her in ways I couldn't. 2. Teachers who put in more that what is required. They teach life lessons, not just the lessons that will show up on a standardized test. 3. To the people who give the gift of time, even when they don't really have it to spare. 4. Caregivers in general. And 5. People who rise above their circumstances to better themselves. I could go on, but there's more questions to answer. 

What does the term "Southern Lady" mean to you?

In my opinion, a Southern lady is someone who loves God, her family, and her friends, fiercely. She maintains poise, even when she's mad or someone is upset with her. She's is steeped in history and she is knowledgeable of current events. She offers grace on a regular basis, but will not be run over. She dresses to impress and carries herself with dignity. (This has nothing to do with the amount of money spent on her clothes or whether she is playing with children or going to an important meeting with executives.) She is approachable and someone with whom you want to sit and sip coffee.

Coolest trip you've ever been on?

The coolest trip that I've been on would have to be when I went with numerous members of my family to visit our family in Alaska. It was in 1997.  Alaska was beautiful and I loved being with family, Floridian and Alaskan. It was summer time, so the sun was shining most of the time. We explored remote places, played card games that lasted forever.  One day, we waited for my Mom and my Aunt Libby to return from a hot air balloon ride...That turned into a crazy story.  Mom wound up teaching a man how to engage his 4-wheel drive when they had to be retrieved far from their planned landing spot. Little did we all know, my mom was very sick.  She was diagnosed about a month after returning from that trip. God timed that trip for us. 

A close second to my most favorite trip would have to be our honeymoon. It was special because it was our honeymoon and the first big trip we had been on together.  We got explore our Nation's Capital.  We both appreciated history (I didnt like history until after high school, sorry Mr. Dulaney and Mr. Lott.). We stayed in a beautiful remote cabin by a creek. It was such a special trip. We've both said we want to go back, we've just got to put it on the calendar. 

What is your favorite movie of all time?

My favorite movie of all time would have to be the original Annie, with Steel Magnolias running a close second. 

Rebecca and her parents at Graduation

What is one piece of advice you would give young people?

Don't be in such a rush to grow up. Be a kid for Heaven's sake. Have fun and do what your parents say and do your school work...but have fun, and don't stress out over it.  

I'm gonna have to give another piece of advice, if I may... Following "don't try to grow up so fast:" Don't enter into a romantic relationship too quickly; and DO NOT allow anyone treat you any differently than you would want someone to treat your parent, or grandparent. I've seen far too many younger people in relationships where they fight like cats and dogs when they've only been together a few months.  At that point, they should still smile and giggle about everything the the other person does.  Respect and love yourself enough.