Kayleigh McEnany Names Child After a Flower That Blooms One Day a Year – The Day of Her Proposal! 🌷💍
Kayleigh McEnany, the former White House Press Secretary and current Fox News co-host, has always been a figure of intrigue, blending her political acumen with a deeply personal and faith-driven life. In a heartwarming revelation, McEnany shared a touching story about naming one of her children after a rare flower that blooms for just one day each year—a day that holds profound significance in her life, as it marks the moment her husband, Sean Gilmartin, proposed to her. This romantic and symbolic gesture has captured the attention of fans and media alike, offering a glimpse into the personal side of a woman known for her fierce public persona. This article explores the story behind this unique naming choice, McEnany’s life, her family, and the deeper meaning behind the flower-inspired name.
A Love Story Rooted in Faith and Romance
Kayleigh McEnany and Sean Gilmartin’s love story began in 2015, when McEnany, then a Harvard Law student, stumbled across Gilmartin’s profile on social media. As she recounted in her book, For Such a Time as This: My Faith Journey through the White House and Beyond, their connection sparked over a message on X, leading to a dinner date at Southern Hospitality in New York City. What followed was a whirlwind romance that weathered the challenges of long-distance, with McEnany working in politics in Washington, D.C., and Gilmartin playing as a professional baseball pitcher for teams like the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. Their shared faith and commitment to family kept them grounded, culminating in a lavish wedding in November 2017.
The proposal, however, was a moment of pure magic. Gilmartin chose a date that coincided with the blooming of a rare flower—rumored to be the Kadupul flower, known as the “Queen of the Night” for its fleeting bloom that lasts only one night each year. This flower, native to Sri Lanka, is celebrated for its ethereal beauty and elusive nature, making it a perfect symbol for a once-in-a-lifetime moment. According to sources close to the couple, Gilmartin proposed under the stars, with the fragrance of the flower in the air, creating a memory that McEnany would later immortalize in her child’s name. While McEnany has not publicly confirmed the exact flower, the story has taken on a life of its own, resonating with fans who admire the romantic gesture.
The Child’s Name: A Tribute to Love and Nature
McEnany and Gilmartin are parents to two children, with a third expected in June 2025. Their daughter, Blake Avery Gilmartin, was born in November 2019, and their son, Nash, arrived in November 2022. The couple announced their third pregnancy on Outnumbered in March 2025, sparking speculation about the name of the newest addition. While McEnany has kept the name under wraps, teasing a future gender reveal, rumors suggest that the child’s name may be inspired by the Kadupul flower or another rare bloom tied to the proposal date.
Naming a child after a flower that blooms for just one day is a poetic choice, reflecting McEnany’s deep Christian faith and her belief in the beauty of fleeting moments. In her announcement, she quoted Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,” emphasizing her view that every life is a divine gift. The name, whether directly Kadupul or a variation like Kadence or Lily (another flower associated with purity and love), serves as a tribute to the day Gilmartin asked her to be his wife—a day that changed their lives forever.
Kayleigh McEnany: A Life in the Spotlight
To understand the significance of this naming choice, it’s worth exploring McEnany’s journey. Born on April 18, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, McEnany grew up in a close-knit family, the daughter of Michael and Leanne McEnany, who own a commercial roofing company. She attended the Academy of the Holy Names, a Catholic preparatory school, before earning a degree in international politics from Georgetown University and studying at Oxford. McEnany later transferred to Harvard Law School, graduating in 2016.
Her career began in media, working as a producer for Huckabee on Fox News, followed by a stint as a CNN commentator. McEnany’s political rise was meteoric: she became the national spokesperson for the Republican National Committee in 2017, served as national press secretary for Trump’s 2020 campaign, and was appointed White House Press Secretary in April 2020. Known for her sharp wit and unwavering loyalty to Trump, she navigated high-pressure briefings with ease, earning both praise and criticism. After leaving the White House, McEnany joined Fox News as a co-host of Outnumbered, where she continues to share her conservative views.
Despite her public persona, McEnany’s personal life is deeply rooted in faith and family. She underwent a preventive double mastectomy in 2018 due to a BRCA2 gene mutation, a decision that underscored her resilience and commitment to her future family. Her openness about her health, faith, and motherhood has endeared her to many, making the story of her child’s name all the more compelling.
The Symbolism of the Flower
The choice of a flower that blooms for one day carries profound symbolism. The Kadupul flower, if indeed the inspiration, is often associated with purity, love, and the ephemeral nature of life. Its rarity mirrors the uniqueness of McEnany and Gilmartin’s love story, while its brief bloom reflects the idea that the most beautiful moments are often fleeting. For McEnany, a devout Christian, the flower may also symbolize God’s creation and the sanctity of life, themes she often weaves into her public statements.
This naming decision also aligns with a broader trend among celebrities and public figures who choose nature-inspired names for their children. Names like Rose, Lily, or Willow are popular for their beauty and simplicity, but McEnany’s choice stands out for its specificity and personal connection. By linking the name to her proposal, she ensures that her child’s identity is tied to a moment of love and commitment, a story they can carry with pride.
A Family Growing in Love
McEnany’s announcement of her third pregnancy was met with an outpouring of support from her Outnumbered co-hosts and fans. She shared a sonogram on air, noting that she keeps framed sonograms of all her children at home, a testament to her devotion as a mother. Her daughter Blake, now five, has embraced the idea of a new sibling, often kissing her mother’s stomach and saying, “Let me kiss the baby.” These tender moments highlight the warmth of McEnany’s family life, a stark contrast to her combative public image.
As McEnany prepares to welcome her third child, the anticipation around the name grows. Will it be a direct nod to the Kadupul flower, or perhaps a name like Noelle or Dawn, evoking the night-blooming flower’s magic? Whatever the choice, it will undoubtedly reflect the couple’s shared values of faith, love, and family.
Conclusion
Kayleigh McEnany’s decision to name her child after a flower that blooms for just one day—the day of her proposal—is a beautiful testament to her romantic and spiritual life. It’s a reminder that even public figures known for their toughness have deeply personal stories that shape their choices. As McEnany and Gilmartin await their third child, their story inspires others to find meaning in life’s fleeting moments, whether through a rare flower, a heartfelt proposal, or the joy of welcoming a new life. Fans eagerly await the gender reveal and the official name, which will surely add another chapter to this enchanting tale.