08 Oct 2023 Couple of the Month: Derrick and Jana Nichols
HER STORY:
Hometown: Cabot (Lonoke County).
Place of employment: I work at Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling.
Children: Jude, Jaden, Jackson and Pamela.
Hobbies: I recently started a photography business. I really enjoy taking photos of families and capturing memories for them. I love spending time with my kids, watching them play sports and spending time outdoors. We love taking day trips to Silver Dollar City.
how do YOU describe YOURSELF? I’m laid back, but very passionate when I really want or love something.
Why DO YOU love the 501? Arkansas is one of the few states, in my opinion, that has good values left. I love the small-town feel of Greenbrier. It is easy to get to know the parents of my kids’ friends and their teachers. I know if my family ever needed anything, there are so many people in this community that we could count on to help, and that is really a great feeling.
What is your motto? Everything happens for a reason; you just have to trust in God and know that He has a plan and everything will work out.
HIS STORY:
hometown: Brookland (Craighead County).
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University.
Place of employment: I work for Windstream.
Hobbies: I enjoy competitive shooting.
Why DO YOU love the 501? I’m from a small town in Northern Arkansas where everyone knew everyone growing up. I feel like Greenbrier has that same feel. The older our kids get, the more people get to know us and them. I like that everyone looks out for each other and each other’s kids.
THEIR STORY:
Jana and Derrick met at Gander Mountain in North Little Rock, where they both worked. They were both with other people at the time, but God had a plan for them.
Jana left there in early 2010 but still remained friends with other co-workers. Derrick invited Jana to a Ducks Unlimited banquet later that year after they both became single, and that’s when they hit it off. After that, they went on their first date in the fall of 2010 and have been together since.
Derrick proposed to Jana on Feb. 18, 2013, after they looked at rings earlier that week. They married later that year on Sept. 21, 2013, in a small wedding at Wooster Baptist Church and had the reception at a family member’s home.
They make it a point to spend at least two to three lunch breaks together every week. “We go to the gym, take a walk around downtown Conway when the weather is nice, or go eat lunch together,” she said. “We enjoy taking trips to Branson and Gulf Shores and spending time as a family. Our kids are growing so fast and we are trying to soak it all in.”
