“Being able to go in shops, stores, parks and knowing people by name and having them know you is priceless,” Abby Hopkins says of St. Clair County.

Community is important to Abby Hopkins, and it’s something the Odenville resident appreciates about St. Clair County.

“It feels like people here are your friends and family,” she said.  “At school, day care, and the grocery store, you see the same friendly faces, everybody knows you, and people make you feel really welcome.  I don’t mean to make it sound like ‘Cheers,’ where everybody knows your name, but it kinda is.”

Since relocating here from south Alabama, the licensed mortgage loan originator and mother of two has sought to give back to the community she feels has embraced her.  

“Moving here was a very easy transition because of the wonderful people I’ve met in my community. The community is like an extension of your family, and there’s comfort in knowing that your extended family is there for you, and you are there for them. It’s where you shop, work, play, your children go to school and grow up.”

Hopkins also expounded on what she loves most about St. Clair County and explained why now is a good time to buy a home here, while revealing a little-known fact about her younger years.

The best thing about St. Clair:  “I just love the community feel. Being able to go in shops, stores, parks and knowing people by name and having them know you is priceless. The school system is also amazing.  It is a wonderful place to raise a family.”

The best part of being a mom: “Of course all of the love and hugs and kisses are awesome, but it’s really being able to guide and teach your children and basically recreate a better you in them.  We are so blessed to have children, and I thank the Lord daily for such an amazing opportunity.”

The person she most admires: “My husband.  He wears so many hats and does a great job overcoming life’s obstacles. No matter the problem, he faces it head on and never lets adversity get in the way of success.”

What makes her laugh:  “I laugh so hard when either of my children laugh.  Hearing them laugh and seeing the beautiful smiles on their faces brings me so much joy.”

Home buying in St. Clair:  “I do mortgages all over the state, and I think that buying in St. Clair County is a good move.  Prices are still affordable, and the taxes are much lower than they are in places such as Jefferson County.”

When is a good time to buy?  “Now.  Rates are moving up fast, and they’re changing twice a day now.  As rates go up, the amount you can afford to pay for a house goes down, so now is a good time to buy.  Sellers are motivated, and there are tax deductions for mortgages.  Waiting to buy will very likely mean you’ll be paying higher interest rates.”

The thing she fears most: “Failure is definitely my biggest fear in life.  I do realize it’s not possible to succeed at everything, but I am sure to try my absolute best, especially when it comes to my family and career.  I do not like disappointing myself or others.”

If she could change one thing about the world: “I would want to change the idea that children have to grow up so fast.  I feel like society makes it acceptable for girls and boys to act much older than they are and experience things that are far beyond their years.  Childhood goes by so fast already. I wish that they would stop and enjoy those precious years.”

If she could have one super power:  “I would love the power to read minds, even though I think I’m pretty good at reading faces and determining the thoughts.  I wouldn’t mind knowing for sure.”

Her favorite ice cream: “Anything with strawberries.”

The food she never wants to eat again:  “Oysters.  Enough said.”

If she were stranded on the hypothetical desert island with one book, meal, and CD: “My meal would be any type of pasta and Diet Dr Pepper.  The CD