31 Dec 2025 Couple of the Month: Justin Evans and Summer Hoggard
HIS STORY:
I’m a very giving and outgoing person, and I love to crack jokes and have fun. I try to bring positivity wherever I go and enjoy making people laugh.
Native of: Sherwood.
Children: One daughter, Adelayde, who is 10.
Work: I am a driller for Steel Energy.
Honors: One of the greatest honors of my life is my wife. She’s beautiful, smart and truly my rock.
Special interests: I love being outdoors. Duck hunting and spending time on the sandbar are my two favorites, but if it involves sunshine, water or fresh air, you can count me in.
What quote inspires you? “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela.
What do you love about living in the 501? I love the culture of the 501 and how you’re never more than an hour from a lake, mountains or somewhere beautiful to explore. The scenery, the people and the outdoor opportunities make it a great place to call home.
HER STORY:
I’m an easygoing person who is very purpose-driven. I’m curious by nature and always looking to learn something new. I care deeply about work that makes a real difference, and I’m not afraid to put in the hard work to make that happen.
Native of: Mayflower
Children: One stepdaughter, Adelayde, who is 10.
Pets: Two dogs, Costa and Layla; two rescued cats, Storm and Onyx; and one fancy gecko named Mellow.
Education: I am a proud graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with dual bachelor’s degrees in marketing and management with a supply chain emphasis. I’m also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a recent graduate of Arkansas State University, where I earned my Master of Business Administration.
Work title: Director of Annual Giving and Development Operations for the Conway Regional Health Foundation.
Hobbies: I love to read, explore new bookstores and find the perfect cozy spot with a good book. I also really enjoy traveling, discovering new places and spending time with all my favorite people.
Favorite Book: I can’t say I have a single favorite, but my favorite series is “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas.
What do you love about living in the 501? I love the sense of community, the way people show up for one another, and the balance of small-town warmth with plenty of opportunities. Our community is full of energy, kindness and people who genuinely care about making our area better.
THEIR STORY:
Our love story started the way so many do today, with a message online. We had a lot of mutual friends and had known of each other for years, so when Justin reached out on Facebook, it didn’t feel like a complete shot in the dark. What still makes us laugh is that it took me almost two weeks to reply. I wasn’t on Facebook often, and by the time I finally responded, Justin had already given up hope that he’d hear back from me. Thankfully, the timing worked out exactly the way it was meant to, because once we started talking, everything felt easy and natural.
The proposal happened in March of 2023 during a weekend getaway at a beautiful cabin off the Buffalo River. We love cooking brunch together, so on Saturday morning we had just finished making one of our favorite slow, cozy meals. In the middle of that simple moment, one that felt so “us,” Justin popped the question. It was intimate, sweet and personal without any big production. Just us, doing something we love.
We were married on May 25, 2024, so we still consider ourselves newlyweds. Our wedding took place at Gateley Hill Gardens in Dardanelle, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. My brother, Bryce, officiated, which made the ceremony incredibly meaningful. We intentionally planned a day that felt relaxed, joyful and centered on being present. We skipped many of the traditional wedding “to-dos” to focus on celebrating with our closest friends and family. More than anything, we wanted the day to reflect who we are as a couple, calm, intentional and happiest when surrounded by the people we love.
As a couple, we enjoy traveling and exploring new places together, trying new restaurants and finding fun excuses to get out of our routine. We also love spending time on the river with friends, enjoying good company, sunshine and a slower pace. All of those moments, the simple ones and the big ones, have shaped a life we’re grateful to be building together.
