Kristen Welker's Love Story: Meeting John Hughes And Building A Family

Let me tell you a heartwarming story about love, family, and career. Kristen Welker, a well-known alum from Today, has found her ultimate happiness with her devoted husband, John Hughes. This White House correspondent tied the knot with her beloved in 2017, creating a life filled with joy and adventure.

How Kristen Welker Met Her Prince Charming, John Hughes

Now, here’s how Kristen and John’s love story began. Back in October 2014, a mutual friend set them up for a blind date in Philadelphia. At the time, Kristen was already making waves in the world of television, starting her career in the early 2000s. John, on the other hand, was carving out his own path in marketing, working for the pharmaceutical giant Merck. Despite their different worlds, they connected instantly, planning their second date in Washington, D.C., where Kristen was covering a story.

Here’s the twist: Kristen was running late for their second date. But John didn’t let that dampen his spirits. Instead, he presented her with a presidential-themed crossword puzzle he’d crafted just for her. It was a gesture that blew her away, making her realize she’d found someone truly special. Kristen later shared with the New York Times, “That’s the moment he got me. As a White House correspondent, it was so meaningful and made him stand out from anyone else I’d ever dated.”

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Despite her hectic schedule covering the presidential campaign, Kristen and John managed to keep their romance alive through regular phone calls and occasional visits. Their love blossomed, and in June 2016, John proposed to Kristen in front of the iconic Lincoln Memorial. Their wedding followed in June 2017 at the historic Bellevue Hotel, with Weekend Today cohost Peter Alexander in attendance. Guests were treated to a special keepsake—a copy of the crossword puzzle John had made for Kristen on their second date.

Building a Family Together

Welcoming Their First Child

Fast forward to April 2021, Kristen made a joyous announcement on Today: she and John were expecting their first child via surrogate. This news came after an emotional journey dealing with infertility, which they openly discussed. In a heartfelt letter, Kristen wrote, “Like many people going through the same thing, we felt very alone. Your daddy and I cried a lot during that time, but we never ever gave up.”

In June 2021, Kristen and John welcomed their daughter, Margot Lane Welker Hughes, into the world. “Margot is truly the love of our lives,” Kristen shared with People. “Seeing her precious face and looking into her eyes made every minute of our journey worth it.”

Since Margot’s arrival, Kristen and John have shared glimpses of her milestones on social media. They celebrated their little girl’s first birthday in June 2022, with Kristen posting a sweet tribute: “Happy 1st Birthday, Margot Lane! Celebrating you this weekend has been the greatest joy. You amaze me every day. Your dada and I couldn’t love you more. We’re so grateful for our family who made this an unforgettable weekend and for Uncle Ed who gave us the best new kicks! We’re also thinking of Grandpa Hughes, who we lost this year, but who was thankfully able to meet baby Margot.”

Announcing Their Second Child

In May 2024, Kristen and John appeared on Today to share another exciting update—they were expecting their second child via surrogate. Their daughter, Margot, was thrilled about becoming a big sister. “Margot has told all of her schoolmates that her parents are getting her a baby brother for her birthday!” Kristen shared with Today.com.

Margot even came up with a name for her sibling. “She’s very proud of the fact that her baby brother will be sleeping in her old crib, and she’s even come up with a name for him: ‘Lolo,’” Kristen revealed to People.

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To help Margot understand the family’s expansion, Kristen and John gifted her a book. “The book explained that she was going to be a big sister [but] it took a couple of weeks to get through … but now, she has just been so excited and we are thrilled about that,” Kristen said. “She’ll say things like, ‘Baby brother coming tonight?’”