Q&A with Melissa Wilson - Sugar Land Magazine · very weekday morning, Fox 26 News anchor Melissa Wilson delivers the top stories of the day to families ... Sugar Land Magazine about

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Every weekday morning, Fox 26 News anchor Melissa Wilson delivers the top stories of the day to families all over the greater Houston area. But when she’s not on the air or busy volunteering at one of her favorite

charities, Wilson is at home in Sugar Land tending to her most important job, being mom to her two sons. Wilson talks with Sugar Land Magazine about family life in Fort Bend, her passion for journalism, and juggling being a full-time news anchor and full-time mother.

What was your childhood like?I have very happy memories of a special family, who provided a wonderful, simple life for my brother and me in a small town in north Texas. My parents instilled strong morals in us and provided a loving home. I spent many hours every week in piano lessons and practicing in a ballet studio. My parents wanted to make sure that we saw almost every state in the country, so every

summer we’d head out with our car completely loaded down with homemade road trip snacks and lots of games and books and tour all of the different states.

Why did you decide to go into broadcast journalism?Throughout my childhood, I always wanted to be a professional dancer. Then once I got to college, reality set in. I realized I had always been obsessed with current events, even as a little tyke. I’d get up first thing in the morning, read the newspaper, and watch the news. I loved being off in the summertime, so that I could watch every newscast of the day. I also always enjoyed speaking in front of my class for book reports, etc. Going into broadcast news just seemed like a perfect fit. 

What is the most rewarding part about your career?It’s so rewarding to feel as though I’m teaching our community the important stuff they need to know. Any time we have

Q&A with

Melissa Wilson

Fox 26 News Anchor Shares Her Joy ofFaith, Working, & Motherhood

By Danielle Hibberd & Photography by Travis Robertson

Melissa Wilson enjoys anchoring the Fox 26 Morning News, with her early schedule giving her plenty of time to spend with her sons in the afternoon

David and Melissa Wilson and their sons Caleb and Zachary

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breaking news, I feel a sense of accomplishment, that we’re letting our viewers know something important that impacts their lives. It’s also incredibly rewarding to give speeches to local schools and groups and share inspirational words with them.

Why did your family choose to live in Sugar Land?Since my husband and I both grew up in small towns, we wanted our children to experience something similar. We were so impressed with the family feel of Sugar Land. We think it’s a lovely community, and we are so proud to call it home. I never let people give me grief for “living out of the loop.” This is our loop, and it’s the best one we’ve ever experienced. We think it lives up to its name and jokingly call it “the land of sugar” - nice and sweet.

What is your typical day like?I get up long before dawn, spend some quiet time with my new puppy, then race off to work. I anchor three hours of morning news, then head out to the Texas Medical Center to cover a story. I usually go back to the station and write a medical story. Then, it’s off to pick up my two sons at school. They’re always anxious to play soccer or tennis when we get home. Depending on the day of the week, I’ll take them to their activities. After homework, we’ll cook dinner together, anxiously await my husband to get home, then we go work out at mommy-and-me boot camp. We love to all pile into one bed, read lots of stories, and end the evening together, before lights out. We like to make up all kinds of silly stories together and each person gets to add a new element to it.

Not too long ago, you switched from anchoring Fox 26’s evening newscasts to mornings. Why did you make that move?That move was the best thing I’ve ever done career-wise and family-wise! My oldest son was starting kindergarten, so something had to give! I was working a 2 to 10 p.m. shift, which meant I’d only get to see him one hour a day. That was in the morning before school when things are super hectic and then on weekends. I couldn’t function seeing them that little. That obviously wouldn’t be healthy for him, either. To be honest, it’s more fun to anchor the morning news, where things are a little more laid back than a serious evening newscast. We also get to cover stories more extensively in the mornings, since we have so much more time on air.

What have been some of your major goals, either professionally or personally?My biggest career goal was to make it to a top 10 market – and luckily Houston fits in that category! I always wanted four children, but it took me too late in life to find my hubby, so we really cherish our two children we’ve been blessed with. There are quite a few countries I’d still like to visit, so hopefully I can reach those goals on my bucket list!

How did you meet your husband David? Was it love at first sight?We met through friends at a local restaurant. We found it ironic that we grew up 30 miles from each other. My parents knew many of his parents’ friends, yet it took us both moving to

Houston to meet one another. The night we met we also realized we lived across the street from each other in Houston! I thought he was so handsome and kind, and it was undoubtedly “major interest” at first sight!

What has been the most unexpected moment inyour life?The most unexpected moment in my life was suffering from a pulmonary embolism while at work. I was at the top of my career, working out daily, and eating all organic foods. I’d just gotten an A+ at my annual physical. Never in a million years would I expect to suffer a potentially fatal medical condition out of the clear blue sky. Doctors still don’t know why it happened, and that is so very frustrating.

Tell us about your children, Zachary and Caleb.My boys are fuller than life. There is never a dull moment with them! Zachary is very outgoing and loves God and his family very much. He adores all animals, especially reptiles. Caleb

is more reserved and wants to do anything athletic all day, every day. He really likes super heroes! His little sayings and mispronunciations are so adorable. We all agree it’s going to be hard when he gets a little older and stops saying them.

What do your sons think about seeing you on TV?They really think it’s cool when I get to cover stories about bugs and animals. Otherwise, they don’t seem that impressed. I’m just mom to them, which I think is great! Zachary thinks it’s neat that his friends watch our morning news. They call me his “news mom,” and he thinks that’s funny.

What’s your secret to balancing a high-profile, demanding career with motherhood?My husband is the wind beneath my wings. He’s so supportive of everything I do and how demanding my schedule can be with all of the events I emcee. At the same time, he’s one of the most dedicated fathers I’ve ever seen! That makes everything much easier. I rely on my Christianity to keep me grounded, and I turn to my parents for a lot of advice. Thank goodness for modern technology! My smart phone helps me get to my appointments on time and makes sure I complete all of my tasks.

What do you enjoy most about living here?We love summer nights in Sugar Land Town Square! The concerts and events are so much fun.

What do like to you do in your free time?I enjoy reading and scrapbooking. I just wish I had more time for both! Believe it or not, I like to hunt for bugs and frogs with my little boys. We love to go camping. I just enjoy being with my entire family, doing anything and everything.

How would you best describe yourself?I’m an energetic person who adores God, my family, friends, animals, my career, and life in general. SLM

DANIELLE HIBBERD lives in Sugar Land with her husband and their three nuclear-powered boys.

Wilson

Wilson enjoys Sugar Land’s family-friendly feel

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