www.SouthernLiving.com
by: Jenna Bush Hagar
Dearest Willie,
Do you know how much we love you? Let me count the ways.
You were a vital part of the soundtrack to our childhood. Your deep, soulful sound still reminds me of road trips to the lake, and evenings spent dancing at our ranch.
It seemed almost destined that we would meet in San Antonio–Texas a place we both adore–on Valentine’s week.
Thanks for hosting me in Honeysuckle Rose (your bus!). Talking with you about your childhood in Abbot, Texas; the music you have written, friends you lost this year (Merle Haggard and Leon Russel). It was everything I had hoped it would be.
And your show! Your music, your voice still as good as when I saw you 15-years-ago. You made one homesick Texan, very. Very. Happy
Love,
Jenna
Souther Living
Spring Style
March 2013”
“Jenna, the younger sister — by a minute — is an editor-at-large of the magazine, as well as a “Today” correspondent.
On Friday’s show, she shared her own praise for her big sister.
“They (wrote) ‘She greets everyone with her warm smile and those bright blue eyes.’ And I said, ‘Anyone who meets Barbara adores her,’” she said.
The NBC correspondent also dished that despite her city living, she is raising her children with strong Southern values.
“I want my kids to be kind. I want them to put others before themselves,” she said.
Hager has two daughters, Margaret and Poppy.
“I also want them to know about Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash – of course Aunt Dolly. We always dance around the house to Dolly Parton,”