We all need to get a start somewhere and there are times when we may do great things but we have a more humble beginning. That is the case with Dana Perino, a woman with an interesting story.
When Dana Perino was 25 years old, she had a promising job on Capitol Hill but she was not yet a Fox News anchor nor was she the White House Press Secretary. In 1997, however, everything changed when she took a flight.
It happened on August 17 of that year when she was traveling from Denver to Chicago and was seated next to Peter McMahon. At the time, he was a British businessman who was 43 years old and they started a conversation that led to a 30-year romance.
Dana can remember some interesting details, such as how he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring and she loved his British accent. She called him a ‘handsome guy’ and he was taken by her as well.
Small talk got the ball rolling and before long, they were in the middle of a conversation that lasted for 2 1/2 hours. The chemistry was undeniable and she even admits that they called it ‘love at first flight’.
At the time, she was busy in Washington DC building a career and he was living in the UK. She knew that there was something between them but the 18-year age gap and the distance made her think twice before she jumped in with both feet.
She said: “It was daunting. I had never pictured myself with someone older, and moving abroad felt like a huge step.”
Her family and friends were supportive of her decisions, including her father who felt that the older man may be just what she needed. The thing that really swayed her was her friend’s kind words, ‘Don’t pass up the chance to be loved.’
She admits that the small piece of advice changed the course of her life dramatically.
Eventually, she made the move to England after her congressman boss retired in 1998. She married him only one year after she met him. He also told her that he would support her if she wanted to return to the United States.
By 1999, they were in San Diego and she was in public relations. After 9/11 occurred, however, she returned to DC and public service. She would eventually become the White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush.
Looking back, she feels that her success in her relationship meant everything to her. She said: “Choosing to be loved is not a career-limiting decision. Nothing I have accomplished would have been possible without him. It wouldn’t have meant as much.
“There’s not enough time to do all I want to do and I really want to do a lot of things with him.”
