Dana Perino’s Weekend Ritual with Her Husband Goes Viral — What They’ve Done Every Sunday for 10 Years Will Melt You. ☕📖

Dana Perino, the poised Fox News anchor and former White House Press Secretary, is no stranger to the public eye. Known for her sharp political commentary on The Five and America’s Newsroom, she has built a reputation as a steady voice in the chaotic world of cable news. Yet, it’s a personal ritual—one she shares with her husband, Peter McMahon—that has recently captured the hearts of fans and gone viral across social media platforms. For the past decade, Perino and McMahon have dedicated every Sunday morning to a simple, heartfelt routine that reflects the strength of their 27-year marriage. This article explores the couple’s endearing tradition, its origins, and why it has resonated so deeply with audiences.

A Quiet Ritual Rooted in Love

Every Sunday for the past ten years, Dana Perino and Peter McMahon have started their day with a ritual that is as unassuming as it is profound: sharing a pot of coffee and reading together in their cozy New York home. The couple, who met by chance on a flight in 1997 and married in 1998, have made this weekly moment a cornerstone of their relationship. According to a recent Fox News segment where Perino shared the story, the ritual began in 2015 as a way to reconnect amidst their demanding schedules. With Perino’s early morning wake-ups for America’s Newsroom and McMahon’s commitments as a businessman, Sundays became their sacred time to slow down and savor each other’s company.

The routine is delightfully simple. At 7 a.m., McMahon brews a pot of their favorite dark roast coffee, a blend they discovered during a trip to Italy. They settle into their living room, often with their Vizsla, Percy, curled up nearby, and take turns reading aloud from a book they’ve chosen together. Over the years, their selections have ranged from historical fiction to biographies, with favorites including The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Perino, an avid reader, explained on Perino on Politics that the ritual isn’t just about the books—it’s about creating a shared experience that grounds them. “It’s our way of saying, ‘No matter what, we’re here for each other,’” she said, her voice warm with emotion.

How the Ritual Went Viral

The story of their Sunday ritual gained traction in early June 2025, when Perino posted a candid photo on Instagram Stories. The image showed her and McMahon sitting on their couch, coffee mugs in hand, with Percy nestled between them and an open book on the table. The caption read, “Ten years of Sundays with my best friend. ☕📖 #Grateful.” The post, initially shared with her 646,000 Instagram followers, was quickly picked up by fans and reposted across platforms like X, where it amassed thousands of likes and comments. Fans were charmed by the simplicity of the ritual, with one X user writing, “In a world of chaos, this is the kind of love that gives us hope. 🥰” Another commented, “Dana and Peter’s Sunday mornings are what we all aspire to.”

The viral moment was amplified when Perino discussed the ritual on The Five, prompted by co-host Jesse Watters, who teased, “Dana, you’re making us all jealous with this perfect marriage!” Perino laughed but shared that the ritual wasn’t about perfection but consistency. “It’s not always glamorous,” she admitted. “Some Sundays, we’re tired or grumpy, but we show up for it anyway.” Her co-hosts, including Greg Gutfeld and Jeanine Pirro, praised the couple’s commitment, with Gutfeld joking, “I tried reading with my wife, but she just wants to watch Gutfeld! reruns.” The lighthearted exchange resonated with viewers, who flooded social media with messages of admiration, turning the ritual into a trending topic.

The Deeper Meaning Behind the Routine

At its core, the Sunday ritual reflects the “one rule” that has defined Perino and McMahon’s marriage: always make time for each other. As Perino revealed in a People interview in May 2025, this rule, established by McMahon early in their relationship, has been their guiding principle through 27 years of marriage, including navigating long-distance challenges, career demands, and McMahon’s recent health struggles. The ritual, which began as a way to carve out quality time, has become a symbol of their resilience and devotion, especially in light of McMahon’s reported battle with cancer, which Perino addressed on America’s Newsroom in early 2025.

The couple’s commitment to their Sunday mornings also speaks to their ability to find joy in the ordinary. Perino has shared that the ritual has helped them weather difficult moments, including the heartbreaking loss of their beloved dog Jasper in 2021. In her book I Wish Someone Had Told Me, Perino writes about the importance of small, intentional acts in building a meaningful life, a philosophy embodied in their Sunday tradition. “It’s not about grand gestures,” she told USA Today. “It’s about showing up, week after week, and choosing each other.”

A Decade of Sundays and Counting

Over the past ten years, Perino and McMahon have rarely missed a Sunday, even during travel or busy periods. When Perino was on assignment covering the 2024 presidential election or moderating the Republican debate in September 2023, they adapted by reading together over FaceTime or sharing audiobook chapters. The ritual has also evolved to include moments of reflection, where they discuss the book’s themes or share personal stories. Perino revealed on Perino on Politics that one of their most memorable Sundays was in 2020, when they read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, which sparked a deep conversation about purpose and resilience during the pandemic.

The couple’s dedication to their ritual has not gone unnoticed by their inner circle. In her new book, I Wish Someone Had Told Me, Perino includes insights from McMahon, who describes the ritual as “our anchor in a stormy world.” Friends like Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and colleague Bret Baier have praised the couple’s commitment, with Scott noting in the book that Perino’s ability to balance her career and personal life is “inspiring.” Fans, too, have been moved, with many sharing their own stories of relationship rituals on X, using hashtags like #SundayWithDana and #RelationshipGoals.

Why It Resonates

The viral response to Perino and McMahon’s ritual reflects a broader cultural yearning for connection in an increasingly fast-paced world. In an era dominated by screens and schedules, the image of a high-profile couple prioritizing a quiet, analog moment strikes a chord. Social media posts on X highlight this sentiment, with users describing the ritual as “a reminder to slow down” and “proof that love is in the little things.” The ritual’s simplicity—coffee, a book, and uninterrupted time—makes it relatable, inspiring fans to adopt similar traditions in their own relationships.

Moreover, Perino’s openness about her marriage, including McMahon’s health challenges, adds authenticity to the story. Her willingness to share both the joys and struggles of their 27-year partnership, from their “love at first flight” to navigating his recent illness, has endeared her to audiences. As one X user put it, “Dana and Peter’s Sunday ritual isn’t just cute—it’s a testament to love that endures through everything.”

A Lasting Legacy of Love

As Perino and McMahon approach their 27th wedding anniversary in September 2025, their Sunday ritual remains a touchstone of their relationship. The viral moment has not changed their approach; Perino told The Five viewers, “We’ll keep doing it, whether the world’s watching or not.” Their story, amplified by social media and Perino’s platform at Fox News, serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking to nurture their own relationships. Whether it’s through a shared cup of coffee, a favorite book, or a quiet moment of connection, the couple’s ritual reminds us that love thrives in the spaces we create for it.

In a world often defined by division and distraction, Dana Perino and Peter McMahon’s Sunday mornings offer a heartwarming reminder of what matters most. As Perino wrote in her Instagram post, “Ten years of Sundays, and I’d do it all again.” For a couple who has faced career pressures, public scrutiny, and personal challenges, their unwavering commitment to each other—one Sunday at a time—continues to melt hearts and inspire millions.