Judging by the countless unforgettable experiences and the loving family they’ve built along the way, Mallory and Jeremy Haygood know a thing or two about embracing life’s wild ride.
Mallory was born here in Jacksonville and grew up on the west side of town, immersing herself in the vibrancy and traditions of the city. Jeremy, on the other hand, grew up on Florida’s Gulf Coast, though he spent time living all over the southeast. He moved to Jacksonville in 2013 and just a few short months later he met Mallory – whether by chance or by fate.
In 2014, Mallory’s cousin invited her to visit First Baptist Church. She met Jeremy on her first day at Sunday school and the two immediately hit it off, spending that entire summer kindling the embers of their romance until they officially started dating later that August. They were engaged before the end of the year and married in spring 2015 in a beautiful ceremony at Riverside United Methodist Church and accompanying reception at Timuquana Country Club.
“Needless to say, it was a whirlwind romance,” Mallory said, reminiscing on their decade-long relationship.
Today, Mallory and Jeremy reside in Avondale with their two daughters, Emerson and Greer, and their two fur babies, Bodie and Gunner. The Haygood family spent the last four years living in Atlanta, Georgia before moving back to Jacksonville in 2024. Since their return, the family is hoping to get more involved with the community, volunteering at events like The Players Championship whenever possible and supporting their daughters’ school.
During the week, Jeremy works in personal lines insurance and Mallory serves as a nurse and quality manager for Ascension St. Vincent’s, the same hospital system in which she was born. The kids attend school and stay busy as junior cheerleaders and avid members of a dance studio in San Marco. When they’re not busy with school or work, the Haygoods enjoy exploring the local, walkable parks in Avondale, tuning in for the “Daily Flavor” at Whit’s, their favorite spot for a sweet treat.
“I love the community feel [of the neighborhood] and the ability to walk to the park with our daughters,” Mallory said.
Living close to the water is another aspect of the town that the Haygoods enjoy, taking out their new kayaks or going for walks on the beach. The family recently discovered Boneyard Beach, the mile-long stretch of beach at Big Talbot Island State Park filled with larger-than-life pieces of driftwood and decimated trees doubling as the perfect place for their daughters to let their imaginations run wild.
“We live for the weekends,” Mallory said. “We’re trying to be tourists in our own city and explore new places that we haven’t been before.”
In the coming year, the Haygoods are looking forward to spending their 10th anniversary somewhere new (and preferably tropical) and taking their daughters on their first camping trip to Flagler Beach. The family also hopes to be more active in this season’s Luminaria, which typically takes place at the end of the year.
“We love Luminaria,” Mallory said. “This past year all of the bikers rode right by our house and our daughters were so excited to tell them ‘Merry Christmas,’ so this year we are hoping to ride in it ourselves.”
Jacksonville may be the largest city in Florida, the largest city in the contiguous United States by land area, but to the Haygoods, it’s just home.
“Jacksonville is filled with quaint, little neighborhoods. It has a rich history that links generations,” Mallory said. “Take the Dreamette, for instance. My grandparents went there, my mom used to take me there after doctor appointments, and now we take our girls.”
As the Haygoods continue to create lasting memories, they remain focused on building a future grounded in family, community, and exploration. For them, Jacksonville offers the perfect backdrop to a life full of new experiences and cherished traditions.
