The Light Within Me

by Ainsley Earhardt

Acknowledgments

  THANK YOU, LORD, for loving me first.

  MY DEAREST HAYDEN, you are the gift your father and I prayed for and God blessed us with the one who is best for us: YOU. I have loved you since before you were born and I will love you well beyond my dying day. You are so smart, funny, and beautiful. You are innocent, honest, and good. My life’s mission is to serve Christ and be your mother. Proverbs 31:30 tells us “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Your character counts and beauty comes from your heart. Hayden, you have just one life. Make it matter, my precious child.

  TO WILL, THANK you for teaching me to value life. Our wedding weekend was wonderful, but nothing will ever compare to the weekend of fulfillment we experienced on Friday, November 6, 2015. When you handed me our daughter, Hayden DuBose Proctor, my life changed for the better. Thank you for your support, memories, and joy. You have given me wonderful gifts, but my favorite will forever be motherhood.

  THANK YOU TO my family. I am so blessed to have each of you in my life. We have mostly had the best of times, but even in my worst of times . . . I had you holding me up. Your love, loyalty, and support have never wavered and I thank God for putting us together. I know He has placed me in a unique position, but that doesn’t make my job more important than yours. We each have different roles, but we are a team bonded together by blood and nothing will ever tear us apart.

  THANK YOU TO Fox News executives and coworkers for allowing me to be myself, for being my New York family, for giving me a chance and a platform to change lives and our country for the better.

  RUPERT MURDOCH, THANK you for starting the Fox News Channel, making all my dreams come true, and giving me a chance. I am forever grateful.

  Suzanne Scott, you have been there for me through my life’s major ups and downs, all of them happening in New York—the city where God shaped me the most. You’re a beautiful mother, strong leader, and compassionate friend.

  DIANNE BRANDI, THANK you for being so generous to me and always looking out for my best interests.

  SEAN HANNITY, THANK you for launching my career and being my mentor.

  Lauren Petterson and Gavin Hadden—you are the beautiful brains behind Fox & Friends—always letting us get the credit, when you deserve the recognition. There’s an old saying for a producer, “Know your anchors.” Thank you for knowing our passions and allowing us to be ourselves on air. Your jobs never end and go well beyond delivering the news. You make an indelible difference in my life, in Steve’s and Brian’s, and in the millions who wake up to Fox & Friends every morning. They choose us because of you!

  To my coanchors, Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy: thank you for teaching me so much on a daily basis, always having my back, and not taking life too seriously. I can honestly say, waking up at three A.M. is never a dread because each day is fun and exciting!

  LIZ NAIFEH, YOU are so special. Fox News made you my assistant, but God made you my “sister.” Your precious mother took her last breath when you were just a baby. I can’t imagine her grief as she suffered her sickness and had to say goodbye to three little ones. But she married a good man and he did an outstanding job! I know you’ll be reunited with your mom again and she will tell you, just as God will, “Well done!”

  MARK TABB, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your valiant efforts in making this book come together. I knew from the beginning you were the one I was supposed to choose to help me write The Light Within Me. Thank you for being a good example and dedicating everything you do to the Lord. Thank you for being so cooperative and helping me condense the pages of my life into nineteen chapters.

  TO THE HARPERCOLLINS team, thank you, thank you, thank you, for giving me the opportunity to share my faith in these pages. I truly believe God is using all of us to share His love.

  Thank you Brian Murray, Jonathan Burnham, Tina Andreadis, Rachel Elinsky, Alieza Schwimer, and Stephanie Cooper.

  Matt Harper and Lisa Sharkey, I won’t ever be able to thank you enough. Your compassion and understanding throughout this process is most appreciated.

  THANK YOU, OLIVIA Metzger, for believing in me and never underestimating me. You are a good friend, mother, and agent!

  TO CAIT HOYT for giving me a new title—author. My parents’ words of wisdom and God’s mighty works have been shared because of you. Thank you for putting their advice in bookstores, homes, and hands all around the world.

  TO NEW YORK, thank you for teaching me how to dream.

  TO PARIS, THANK you for teaching me how to live.

  Photo Section

  My sister, Elise, holding me for the first time in Mary Black Hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where I was born in September 1976. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Celebrating my first birthday cake in 1977. Our family still has that highchair. Photograph courtesy of the author

  With Elise in the den of our Spartanburg home. The dog in the background was Puffin, our Peekapoo, who died at seventeen years old (my parents’ first baby girl). The den was where I eventually would watch the Oscars and cry because I wanted to be there, and also where I would sneak in to watch soap operas with my nanny. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Elise and me at the beach in South Carolina. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Our first family trip to Washington, DC, standing in front of the White House. Little did I know that one day I would be inside the Oval Office interviewing the President. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Taking in the sights in Washington, DC. My parents always instilled in us that reading about and understanding America were incredibly important. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Standing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, with my sister, Elise, and our parents. I remember being fascinated by a bird’s nest that was sitting on top of President Lincoln’s head. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Easter Sunday with my family in Spartanburg, South Carolina. God and the church were always big parts of our lives growing up, but it wasn’t until later that I became more expressive about my faith (from left to right: Elise, me, Mom and Trent, Dad, and our dog, Puffin). Photograph courtesy of the author

  This photo was taken in our backyard in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was a large backyard with honeysuckles and beautiful azalea bushes everywhere. Elise and I are holding hands with our younger cousin, Walker. We were the first three grandchildren and there are six total. My mom has three children and my aunt, Lynn, has three boys. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Christmas was always a special time in our house. This photo of Elise and me in our matching pjs was taken Christmas morning in our living room in Spartanburg. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Growing up, Elise and I were really close—especially when we started sharing a room after my brother, Trent, was born. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My family with my dad’s wonderful parents, Tinka and Lewie Earhardt, and their dog, P.G. We called our grandparents (on my dad’s side) by their first names. Our friends got a kick out of that later. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My mother’s parents, Ann (Mimi to me) and George (Pop to me) Giles. This was at my debutante ball in Greenville, South Carolina. They were members of the Carolinian Debutante Club and were so proud to present me that night, December 21, 1996. My grandmothers were instrumental in helping me become the woman I am today. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My sweet grandparents (both graduates of the University of South Carolina) with our school’s mascot, Cocky. They never missed a football game. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Christmas Eve with my family in Columbia (from left to right: Mom, me, Elise, Trent, and Dad). Photograph courtesy of the author

  At a family friend’s house for my parents’ annual Christmas supper club in Columbia, South Carolina. Once a year the children were invited to the adult supper club because Santa came to deliver toys at Christmas. Photograph courtesy of the au
thor

  My interest in orthodontics started early. This photo was taken when I got my first set of braces in middle school. Photograph courtesy of the author

  This was my third set of braces (my teeth needed a lot of work) in ninth grade. I finally got my braces off a few weeks later. Photograph courtesy of the author

  I was so proud when I made the cheerleading squad in seventh grade, but when I failed to make it in eighth grade, my father gave me advice that stayed with me for years to come: “God knew you could handle the rejection of not making the squad. He made you a confident, positive person. You will be fine.” Photograph courtesy of the author

  This shot of Trent and me was taken when we went to visit Elise, who was studying at Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Visiting my grandparents at the Greenville Country Club. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Winning Miss Congeniality in the Miss Spring Valley contest at my high school. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My father presenting me on the football field for Spring Valley High School’s Homecoming Court. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My sorority initiation to Alpha Delta Pi at Florida State University in the fall of 1995. Photograph courtesy of the author

  With my grandfather, George Wesley Giles, who presented me for the Carolinian Debutante Club at the Poinsett Club in Greenville, South Carolina, on December 21, 1996. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1999. While at the time the decision to transfer closer to home was a difficult one, looking back it’s easy to see God’s hand in the move. After all, it was the University of South Carolina’s journalism school that set me on the path toward my passion. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My dad and I sharing a moment after graduation from USC. Not only were there no more college tuition checks for my education, but I was his first child to graduate from his alma mater (my brother later did, too). Photograph courtesy of the author

  After graduation, I became the Richland County beat reporter for WLTX-News 19 in Columbia, South Carolina, which gave me a new perspective on my hometown. Photograph courtesy of the author

  After finding success on the morning show in Columbia, I took aim at a bigger market and moved to San Antonio, Texas. This billboard was our San Antonio morning team in 2005 (from left to right: meteorologist Paul Mireles, me, my morning show cohost, Fred Lozano, traffic reporter Megan Alexander). Paul is still at KENS-5 in San Antonio; Fred passed away at sixty-seven (bless his heart); and Megan, who remains a good friend, is a correspondent for Inside Edition in New York. We are currently in a Bible study together. Photograph courtesy of the author

  When I was at WLTX-News 19 in Columbia, our crew traveled to New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and were on a float with Joe Torre, who was then the manager of the Yankees. We were covering a group of elementary school students from South Carolina, who had raised enough money to buy a new fire truck for one of the New York City fire houses after 9/11. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Sitting on the set in San Antonio, Texas. I was the morning and noon anchor at KENS-5. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in San Antonio from 2005–2007. My coworkers, my friends, and the culture were wonderful. It was such a happy time in my life. But I was always tempted by the prospect of a national audience, so when I got my shot with Fox News, I jumped right away. Photograph courtesy of the author

  The day I signed my Fox News Channel contract. This was taken just before I left for the KENS-5 Christmas party in Texas. My boss announced at that party that I was leaving San Antonio to head to the Big Apple. Photograph courtesy of the author

  This photo was taken on assignment at the Hoover Dam. I was a correspondent on Sean Hannity’s show, called Hannity’s America. I was the show’s traveling correspondent and my weekly segment was called “Ainsley Across America.” Photograph courtesy of the author

  One of the best days of my life: here I am with Will holding our daughter, Hayden DuBose Proctor, in the hospital on the day she was born, November 6, 2015. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Will and I honeymooned in France and London. We toured different regions and several champagne houses, including Moët & Chandon where Dom Perignon is made in Épernay, France. We bought a nice bottle of Dom Perignon for one specific reason. We would open it on the day our first child was born. Photograph courtesy of the author

  That bottle of Dom Perignon traveled with us from France to New York City and, after sitting in our apartment for years, was finally opened in New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The day Hayden was born we opened it for family and friends to have a taste and help us celebrate. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Hayden with my parents the day after she was born. She was their first grandchild. Photo by Brian Tully

  Hayden on the day she was christened. Photo by Brian Tully

  With Hayden before a family meal during her baptism weekend. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Sassy and Saks, my little loves. These “babies” came long before my daughter, Hayden. I was blessed with Sassy a few months after I moved to San Antonio, Texas. Saks joined our family shortly after and was a good playmate for his big sister, Sassy. Saks was only two pounds four ounces and is no longer with us because of health problems, but Sassy is still living up to her name at twelve years old. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Hayden and I took this selfie before one of her classes. I thank God every day for her presence in our lives. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Fox Fan Day at Yankee Stadium. Our staff gets to watch America’s favorite game with our favorite people: our viewers. This was my first year at Fan Day hosting Fox & Friends and my daughter’s first Yankee game. The team even gave Hayden a certificate to honor her first game. She was seven months old. Photograph courtesy of the author

  My cohosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade and I interviewed President Trump at the White House in 2017, and afterward we took pictures in the Oval Office. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

  For Hayden’s first Halloween, she was a ballerina. My husband and I took her trick-or-treating in our New York City neighborhood. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Anchoring Fox & Friends live from Philadelphia for the Democratic Convention in 2016. Photograph courtesy of the author

  These are my “sisters.” Our friendship dates back to the fourth grade at Windsor Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina. We have been through ups and downs and have had each other’s backs always. Women need friends and God gave me two of the best. Photograph courtesy of the author

  Many of the fantastic females in my family. My brother’s wife, Darcy; my mom’s sister, Lynn; my dad’s brother’s wife, Linda; my daughter, Hayden; my sister,Elise; my mom, Dale, and me. Photo by Pasha Belman Photography

  My family has been vacationing on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, since I was five years old. We have a small cottage there and have made many memories with friends and family. This photo was taken outside of the Sanctuary Resort where we went for dinner one summer night. (Dad, Mom, my sister, Elise, my husband, Will, me, my sister-in-law, Darcy, and my brother, Trent). Photograph courtesy of the author

  About the Author

  AINSLEY EARHARDT is the author of the bestselling children’s books Take Heart, My Child and Through Your Eyes, and is one of the cohosts of the number one cable morning news show, Fox & Friends, on the Fox News Channel. She has been a correspondent for Sean Hannity’s show, Hannity; a cohost of Fox & Friends First; an anchor for Fox & Friends Weekend; a host of Fox’s All-American New Year’s Eve, America’s News Headquarters, Outnumbered, and The Five. She has also been a panelist on The Live Desk and has appeared with Neil Cavuto and Tucker Carlson on their shows. She lives in New York City.

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  Copyright

  THE LIGHT WITHIN ME. Copyrigh
t © 2018 by Ainsley Earhardt. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  FIRST EDITION

  Cover designed by James Iacobelli

  Front and author photographs © Brian M. Tully

  Photographs, unless otherwise credited, are courtesy of the author.

  All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

  Digital Edition APRIL 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06269749-3

  Print ISBN: 978-0-06-269747-9

  Version 04092018