In a romantic gesture that captured hearts across the nation, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a seasoned Republican lawmaker representing Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, recently proposed to Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich. The engagement, announced on July 8, 2025, was a picturesque affair set against the fragrant backdrop of lavender fields in Provence, France.
The story of their engagement reads like a modern fairy tale. Fitzpatrick, 51, and Heinrich, 36, had planned a 10-day summer trip to the South of France, a gift from Fitzpatrick to Heinrich, inspired by a dream she shared with the Boston Globe in 2024. Heinrich had expressed her long-standing wish to "eat my way through the French Riviera and Provence, with sun-drenched days at the lavender fields punctuated by crisp wines and salty butter." Little did she know, this dream would soon become the setting for a life-changing moment.
Despite the looming pressures of Capitol Hill, with the high-stakes vote on the "Big Beautiful Bill"—a fiscal and tax bill championed by then-President Donald Trump—scheduled for early July, Fitzpatrick was determined to make the trip and the proposal happen. Heinrich recalled, “He was like, ‘We are going. We’re going to the lavender fields. All I want is to see the lavender fields at sunrise.’ All the time I’ve known this man, he has never been desperate to see a field of flowers at dawn. So I had a feeling that [a proposal] was the goal.”
The couple arrived in Nice, France, and under the cover of darkness, drove two hours to the town of Valensole, renowned for its stunning lavender fields and annual festivals celebrating the region’s natural beauty. There, at sunrise, Fitzpatrick orchestrated a heartfelt proposal. He suggested Heinrich take a stroll through the lavender while he took photos, when suddenly a photographer and a drone appeared to capture the moment he got down on one knee. The ring he presented was specially chosen from Heinrich’s family jeweler, Attos Estate Jewelers in Portland, Maine, a thoughtful detail that added a deeply personal touch to the occasion.
Heinrich, who confirmed the engagement herself on social media with a simple yet emphatic “Fact check: true,” described the experience as “so breathtaking,” with the scent of lavender “just so fragrant.” She said, “It's a memory that will be seared into my brain for life. It’s hard to even put into words just how gorgeous it really was. It felt like a fairy tale.” The couple celebrated their engagement over espresso at a coffee shop that opened just after their magical morning, savoring every moment before Fitzpatrick had to return to Washington, D.C.
Their time in France was brief—less than 48 hours—but packed with memories. Heinrich remarked, “In less than 48 hours, we saw all of the cities we wanted to see during the whole 10 days we were supposed to be there. It was honestly so memorable. I'll never forget it.”
Their relationship dates back to 2021 when they met at the Kennedy Center Honors, and since then, Heinrich has spoken warmly about Fitzpatrick’s character. “I love his brain,” she told People magazine. “I love the way he approaches problem-solving and solving complex issues. He’s strong and a man of faith, who brings me closer to God. He’s sweet and gentle and kind — all of the easy qualities in a person that just make him a joy to be around and life brighter.”
Fitzpatrick’s background is as impressive as his political career. Elected to Congress in 2016, he has served five terms representing Bucks County and parts of Montgomery County in suburban Philadelphia. Before his political tenure, he was an FBI special agent and federal prosecutor and was embedded with U.S. Special Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, Fitzpatrick holds licenses as an attorney, a certified public accountant, and an emergency medical technician, underscoring his multifaceted expertise.
The engagement comes at a politically charged time. Just days after the proposal, Fitzpatrick was one of only two House Republicans to vote against the "Big Beautiful Bill," President Trump’s domestic agenda, which passed narrowly on July 3, 2025, and was signed into law on July 4. This vote highlighted Fitzpatrick’s independent streak and his commitment to his principles, even when they diverged from his party’s leadership.
Heinrich, meanwhile, has carved out a notable career in journalism. Joining Fox News in 2018 as a New York-based general assignment reporter, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a congressional correspondent in 2021 and later a senior White House correspondent. Her work often places her at the heart of political reporting, frequently seen in the White House press briefing room. Before Fox News, Heinrich worked at local news stations in Boston, Las Vegas, and Colorado Springs.
Her professional journey hasn’t been without challenges. Earlier in 2025, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Heinrich, calling her “absolutely terrible” and suggesting she should work for CNN instead of Fox News. Despite such attacks, Heinrich has maintained her poise and professionalism, even voicing sharp criticism of the White House’s decision to take over the press pool from the White House Correspondents Association, a move supported by veteran Fox commentator Brit Hume.
Looking ahead, the couple has shared plans for a wedding with a Catholic Church ceremony, though no specific date has been announced. The union of a principled congressman and a rising star journalist is sure to draw interest both in political and media circles.
In a world often dominated by political strife and media battles, the engagement of Brian Fitzpatrick and Jacqui Heinrich offers a heartwarming story of love, commitment, and shared dreams. Their journey from a lavender field in Provence to the halls of power in Washington, D.C., is a testament to the personal moments that quietly shape the lives of public figures.
