20 Years of Marriage: Dana Perino Reflects on a Journey of Love, Family, and a Life Well-Lived
Twenty years of marriage feels like…
Twenty: forever.
Nineteen: and no time at all.
Eighteen: the best decision I ever made.
Seventeen: and sometimes the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
In a heartfelt op-ed, Dana Perino shares her journey with her husband Peter on the occasion of his 60th birthday. “But also the most rewarding,” she writes, highlighting the balance of challenge and joy in marriage.
Dana recalls the fateful moment that changed everything: “I almost missed the plane and wondered what if I’d been assigned a different seat. I was the second-to-last person to board, and he was the last. When he saw my ticket, he said, ‘Oh. I’m sitting beside HER.’ Seats 13A and 13C. Love at first flight.”
Marriage brings comfort, sometimes routine, yet she still feels that flutter of excitement whenever Peter comes to meet her after work. Family—from their dogs Henry and Jasper to in-laws, siblings, nieces, and Peter’s children—provides a strong foundation. Dana humorously notes that Peter’s daughters’ twins call her “Grandma America,” and she loves the nickname.
Friends, both from their single days and new ones they make together, play an essential role in their lives. Historic events like September 11, 2001, marked turning points: living in San Diego, settling into a new home, and moving back to Washington for work, Dana and Peter navigated life together.
Dana emphasizes the importance of support in her career: from opportunities in the George W. Bush administration to hosting The Five at Fox News, Peter handled everything at home so she could shine. Small but meaningful routines—morning English Breakfast tea with honey, ordering for each other at restaurants, overcoming financial anxieties and doubts—serve as proof of trust and enduring love.
They share a pride in patriotism: Dana from childhood, Peter by choice, culminating in his citizenship ceremony in 2006. Time moves fast, but Dana stresses living fully in each moment. Years may pass like months, yet there’s still much to savor.
Finally, Dana concludes that the key to it all is: faith, gratitude, grace, commitment, love, and surrender. Twenty years can feel both long and short, challenging and sweet—but when lived fully, every moment becomes an invaluable gift
