Thanks to Haley Hodge
Good things are frequently discovered where you least expect them to be.
Haley Hodge has gone beyond books and online in her quest for baby names as her due date approaches. This mother of three, who will soon become a mother of four, made the decision to search local cemeteries for names from earlier generations and former lives in order to find inspiration.
Hodge documented this extraordinary journey in a now-viral TikTok video that has elicited conflicting responses from its 2.5 million viewers. In the video, Hodge can be seen talking about names with her husband Rivers and their kids while touring the Old Smithville Burying Ground in Southport, North Carolina.
Thanks to Haley Hodge
Many viewers were moved by Hodge’s inventiveness and appreciated how she honored the memory of the deceased with her choice of names.
One individual remarked, “This is the first video I’ve ever seen like this; never would have thought about it.” But I adore this concept so much! particularly if you investigate the individual.
“This really is stunning. Another TikTok user said, “What a way to honor those that have passed away.”
Not everyone, though, had the same sentiments. The concept unnerved other viewers, who brought up beliefs about pregnant women not being allowed in cemeteries. Hodge tells PEOPLE that although she had always felt at ease in cemeteries, she had expected some criticism because of different cultural perspectives on death.
Thanks to Haley Hodge
“It seems to me like going to a site where people’s greatest friends, grandparents, and other loved ones are buried. It’s not an evil place, according to Hodge. “These are people who were good people who lived lives, hopefully good lives.”
Furthermore, Hodge finds it inconvenient to be close to the deceased.
She continues, “I don’t think spirits are restricted to cemeteries if they exist.” “We’re already surrounded by it; hospitals have morgues, and we have babies born above morgues.”
Hodge also remembers her own early years, when her mother would take the family on trips and visit graves to teach them about the local history.
Thanks to Haley Hodge
According to Hodge, “she realized we’d be more interested if it was a spooky story rather than just history.” “It just grabs your attention more, kind of like kids telling scary stories at a bonfire.”
Hodge had used more traditional means to find names for her first three children, Finley, 10, Banks, 1, and Crew, 3, frequently making notes of names she heard on television. When asked where her name came from, she wanted this fourth kid to be able to tell an intriguing backstory.
Thanks to Haley Hodge
In addition, Hodge made the decision to film their trip to the grave, hoping to show it to her daughter in the future. She had originally intended to keep the videos to herself, but she ultimately decided to share the naming process with everyone.
“At first, I wasn’t going to post them,” she acknowledges. However, I later decided that sharing this was sort of cool. I anticipated that because it was unique, it would draw attention.
Baby once labeled ‘hideous’ grows into a stunning little girl
Every individual is beautiful in their own way, including newborns with their unique features.
In 2018, Angelica entered the world, bringing immense joy to her family. Her delicate facial features and a heart-shaped port-wine stain made her even more special. While her family embraced her beauty, not everyone appreciated the uniqueness of her birthmark.
Angelica’s mother, Marianna Bowering, shared that while their family adored her daughter just as she was, some strangers online felt entitled to make cruel comments about Angelica’s appearance.
“The worst comment I’ve received online was from someone asking if her face had been pressed onto a skillet, essentially saying her face looked grilled,” Marianna told The Mirror.
Marianna also recalled times when Angelica was labeled “hideous” or described as a “defect.” These remarks were deeply hurtful and added to the challenges the family faced. Despite the negativity, they remained determined to shield Angelica from the impact of such cruelty and to help her embrace her unique beauty.
To instill confidence and self-love in her daughter, Marianna took an extraordinary step. Inspired by Vascular Birthmark Awareness Day, which encourages participants to paint a heart on their cheek, she decided to replicate Angelica’s birthmark on her own face using makeup.
“I initially painted a heart as part of my makeup look, but then I thought, why not go all out and recreate Angelica’s port-wine stain?” Marianna shared with The Epoch Times.
However, not all reactions were positive. Remarks suggesting the mark would fade over time or that Angelica could conceal it with makeup as she grew older left Marianna heartbroken. These comments reminded her of society’s rigid standards of beauty and the pressure to conform.
Determined to counter this, Marianna and her family encouraged Angelica to embrace her individuality. On occasion, Marianna would even decorate Angelica’s birthmark with glitter to celebrate its beauty.
“Thankfully, tests have shown Angelica is completely healthy,” Marianna said, acknowledging that children with similar birthmarks can sometimes face health concerns like glaucoma. “We just need regular check-ups to monitor her health, particularly her eyes.”
Angelica is now thriving, surrounded by love and support that teaches her to appreciate her uniqueness. Her story is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms and that self-love is a powerful gift.
Isn’t Angelica a stunning young girl with a story that inspires?
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