Georgia & Josh Akins Named Effingham's Best Couple

Story by Cindy Reid

For Georgia and Josh Akins, the phrase "there is no place like home" is the foundation of their lives. Five years ago, they moved from Savannah back to Rincon, the community where they were both raised, because this is exactly where they want to be.

Today, the Akins are deeply woven into the fabric of Effingham County, balancing careers, family life, and a passion for youth sports. Josh is the Director of Operations and a partner for the Rincon and Springfield Subway locations while also operating a land surveying and consulting business. Georgia serves the community through her work with the Board of Education's Transportation Department.

Together, they own and operate Effingham Elite Volleyball, a program dedicated to mentoring young local athletes. They were very surprised to be chosen as Best Couple and thank the community for the honor and for its support of their family.

Growing Up Together

Their story begins in the same neighborhood, where they grew up just two years apart. That age difference kept them on separate tracks until high school, when an online AOL mix-up brought them face to face.

Their first official date took place at Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade, during one of the area's biggest celebrations. It worked; the couple married on March 18, 2006.

Marrying young comes with its stereotypes, but the Akins have defied them. While some couples fear growing apart as they age, Georgia views it differently.

"We've grown up together," she says, noting that evolving alongside each other has only strengthened their bond.

The secret to their 20-year marriage? Good communication and very few disagreements. When tension does arise, they have a signature system: Josh simply leaves the room.

"It makes me so mad!" Georgia laughs, but the strategy keeps major arguments at bay.

Josh describes Georgia as his complete opposite—far more emotional and expressive—while Georgia cherishes Josh's deep-down, incredibly caring nature. He is her biggest supporter and a fiercely dedicated father. Whenever the girls need something, Josh is always their first call.

Seeing the World

At the center of Josh and Georgia's world are their two daughters: Abigail, a senior at Effingham County High School who has a passion for photography, and Taylor, a freshman at Effingham County High School who is equally passionate about volleyball.

Growing up in the same town as their parents means Abigail and Taylor are living out many of the same community traditions that shaped Josh and Georgia. The family makes a celebration out of local milestones, including high school Homecoming and the annual Fourth of July fireworks.

The Akins have built their life around family experiences, spending years camping during nearly every holiday. Now, as the girls grow older, the Akins are fulfilling a lifelong dream to show them the world. From trips to Spain, Paris, and London to family cruises and school-break escapes to Turks and Caicos, the family is exploring the globe together.

With Abigail preparing to graduate, Georgia has already given Josh a glimpse into their next chapter.

"We'll see how life is when the kids are gone," she says.

But with a rock-solid foundation built in Rincon, strong ties to the community, and a lifetime of travel ahead of them, the future looks incredibly bright for Effingham's Best Couple.