Name: Autumn Hendrix
Sons’ names and ages: Asher, 7 years and Henry, 10 months
Where are you from and what brought you to NWA? I grew up in Harrison, AR and came to Fayetteville to attend the U of A.
We understand you and your husband have an interesting love story that involves a senior prom and Facebook. Can you tell us about it? My husband, Matt, and I met in Jr. High and were instant friends. We never dated but were always together. By my senior year I realized I really liked this guy and for once we were single at the same time! I actually asked him to Prom.
He eagerly accepted and we began making plans. On the Monday of prom week (he swears it was the week before…wrong) he informed me that he had been talking to his ex-girlfriend and they were getting back together! Looking back it was silly teenage drama but at that moment I was devastated.
Come Saturday night I took my mom’s advice; I fixed my hair and make-up, slapped on a smile and went to Prom. I had second thoughts walking down the long hallway by myself but then the moment I walked into the commons area the first person I saw was him. His jaw literally dropped and his girlfriend punched him and drug him out of the dance. Victory!!
Fast forward 12 years, and a lot of growing up, I got an instant message from him on Facebook while putting pictures on my work’s page. I told him I couldn’t chat then and gave him my number and told him not to be a stranger.
Three months later I finally get a text asking if I ever visited Harrison. I told him I would be there that weekend for Mother’s Day and we planned to go to dinner. After the first date, he quit his job offshore so he wouldn’t have to wait two weeks to see me again.
After the second date, I told my sister he might not know it yet but I was going to marry him. And after the third date and meeting my son, (I didn’t know it but) he bought the ring! Three years later and I still cannot believe how fast everything happened and how right it feels to be a family.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Anywhere that I can wear flip flops year round is alright by me!
If you went back to college what would you study? I would love to study something in agriculture. I never realized how amazing the science behind farming really is until recently.
What’s your work background? I have been with the Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville for almost 12 years now! Over the years, I have served the Boys & Girls Club in multiple capacities beginning as a lifeguard when I attended the University of Arkansas and I currently serve as the Development Coordinator.
If you had a whole day to yourself what would you do? SLEEP! And then feel guilty that I wasn’t doing something with my kiddos.
What are some of your favorite things to do with your boys in Northwest Arkansas? There are so many wonderful family activities in this area but for me if the word free is in the description it is even better! For just the everyday, we love the Fayetteville Public Library. The architecture and art alone are worth the visit but when add all of the classes offered it can’t be beat!
If we are going to make an entire day of it we will take the short drive to the upper Buffalo River area. It is just minutes away but the slow and peaceful pace makes it seem like a different world. Hiking, elk watching and floating are just a few of our favorite activities.
What’s a make-up essential you couldn’t live without? L’Oreal Voluminous mascara. It has been a staple in my make up bag since high school and I would put it up against any other brand out there.
What would you do with a large, unexpected gift of cash? First things first, pay off debts and tithe. Then, we would see just how many stamps we could get on our Passports!
What was the best parenting advice you received? Babies don’t keep, enjoy them now!
The worst? “The doctor is always right.” Do not get me wrong, I trust my children’s pediatrician (or he wouldn’t be their pediatrician) but always trust your gut when it comes to your children. No one knows them like you do and if you feel something is not right stick with it until you feel comfortable with the diagnosis and the course of treatment.
If someone wrote a book about your life right now, what would a good title be? “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That! Learning to balance work and an active family life.”
One word to sum me up … Blessed!
