Melody Cox

Meet Melody Cox. A Mom to 8! YES 8!! Melody is also a Mortgage Loan Officer with Blue Ribbon Mortgage & Investments.  Melody has some great advice: “Always be true to yourself and don’t let anyone change who you are. Not everyone will like you and that’s ok~ Never settle” To learn more about this sweet momma of 8, read below!
Q. Please tell us a little bit about your family. *
We are a family of 10. Jimmy and I had 2 children (Mattheu is 20 and about to graduate from Dakota State University in Madison, SD & Rebekah is 18) of our own and then adopted Jimmy’s 2 nephews due to his sister being a drug addict. Isaiah is 15 and Gabriel is 13. In November of 2018, Jimmy’s other sister and their mother were incarcerated so we took in his sister’s 4 kids and we have permanent guardianship of the younger 3. We adopted the oldest, Montana, 19, this past January. Chaveaha is 12, Michael is 11, and Renesmee (Nessy) is 20 months. Jimmy spent 23 years in the Air Force before retiring and is now about to complete his 3rd year teaching 8th grade math at North Middle School. I am a mortgage loan office at Blue Ribbon Mortgage
Q. Please tell us about your current career. Thing you love most about what you do. *
I am a mortgage loan officer at Blue Ribbon Mortgage & Investments. I love helping clients realize their dream of home ownership especially those who had been told it wouldn’t happen.
Q. What inspired you or led you to your current career? *
I kind of fell into the mortgage business by chance. We were living in New Jersey and a company called Freedom Mortgage was looking for recent graduates who they knew were likely to do well with the difficult task of passing the mortgage SAFE exam. I had finally finished my degree (in Criminal Justice) and since I wasn’t having much luck finding a job in that field I jumped at it. The rest is history
Q. What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community? *
I love La Costa, Olive Garden, and Texas Roadhouse. I also am kindo of addicted to Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Q. How long have you lived or worked in our community? *
I grew up in Rapid City, as did my mom and grandmother. I was away off and on for about 15 years due to my husband’s military service. we have been back for 5 years this June
Q. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I met Helene Duhamel once a year or so ago. I remember watching her on the news as a kid and seeing her go through her cancer battle very publicly. She has always been an inspiration. She was also very helpful when I reached out (via Facebook) to ask questions about my daughter, Rebekah, wanting to be a journalist.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? *
Probably Italy. That is the one place that we always wanted to visit when we lived in England (2010-2013) and never made it.
Q. What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows? *
One of my favorite movies is “Up Close and Personal” with Michelle Pfeifer and Robert Redford. LOVE them both. My favorite TV shows are “This is US”, “Manifest” and “New Amsterdam”
Q. What advice would you give to people? *
Always be true to yourself and don’t let anyone change who you are. Not everyone will like you and that’s ok~ Never settle
Q. What is something on your bucket list?*
To visit Australia. To give my kids the vacation of a lifetime–anywhere
Q. What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to? *
I love Micah Tyler and Big Daddy Weave–both Christian artists
Q. What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community? *
Most people may not remember it but “Marine Life”. It was owned by my 6th grade teacher who recently passed away–Bev Hilmer. I really miss it. For current business it would be Reptile Gardens. # of my kids have or do work there and I have photos from being there around the age of 6
Q. If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch? *
Ellen Degeneres! She is amazingly funny and has an amazing heart! She can make anyone (especially me) laugh and cry in the same moment! I adore her
Q. What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? *
I love that it is relatively small but that we still have everything we need–not necessary to drive to a bigger city for things. I love the scenery of the beautiful black hills. I have lived a lot of places and there is literally no place like home!
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? *
I just want to see my kids thriving and happy! In 5 years I will have a 1st grader!!!! and in 10 a 6th grader!!! also in 10 years she will be the only one still home!!!!
Q. (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m pretty much an open book and talk ALOT but maybe its that I overthink Everything!!!
Q. What is the most beautiful place you have ever been? *
Ireland! We visited while we were living in England in 2012. SO GREEN! Also has super nice people
Q. If you were cast in a movie and could choose your costar, who would it be? *
Jennifer Aniston
Q. Favorite month? holiday? and best single day on the calendar? *
My favorite holiday as always been Thanksgiving! As a kid we always went to family’ house in Lead/ Deadwood! No pressure to get gifts but just be together and grateful~
Q. What would you rate a 10 out of 10? *
My lawyer Kylie Riggins who was a Godsend in the process of gaining guardianship of our nieces and nephew. She is/was always a kind, yet realistic, voice in the storm!
Q. Who inspires you to be better? *
My friend Becky. She has always loved me for me and accepted me while still gently encouraging me to be better. 3 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed with ALS and when I see here I always leave feeling better. SHE makes ME feel better even though she has a terminal illness. She is one of my most favorite people on the planet. We met in High school (Stevens) and I named Rebekah after her.
Q. What is one or two of your favorite smells? *
I love when I smell a perfume that my grandma (moms) mom would have worn. Also–and this is weird–the smell of a gas stove because it reminds me of my dad’s parents house.
Q. If a movie was made of your life, who would you want to play you? *
Kelly Clarkson–she isn’t an actress but I think we have a lot in common and she would nail it
Q. Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME? *
safe, noisy, chaotically comfortable

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