Pat McAfee has been making headlines lately. Whether it’s for his dynamic presence on ESPN, his unexpected in-ring moments in WWE, or his candid reflections on life as he turned 38. Just recently, he shared an emotional message on his birthday, expressing gratitude for his journey and the support from fans. His wife, Samantha Ludy, also shared a personal update and the hardships the couple went through last year.

Mrs. McAfee also shared a pregnancy concern she experienced two years ago, as the couple celebrated their daughter’s second birthday. On Sunday, May 4, Pat McAfee and Samantha Ludy’s daughter, Mackenzie Lynn McAfee, turned two. To mark the special day, Samantha shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, reflecting on the moment she first held her baby girl. Alongside the sweet memories, she opened up about a pregnancy concern that had surfaced just before Mackenzie’s arrival. As it turns out, their little one made her big entrance two weeks before her due date.

“It was 2 years ago today when I woke up Patrick in the most nonchalant way, whispering, ‘I think my water just broke.’ Our sweet angel baby made her debut 2 weeks early,” Samantha wrote in the caption, recalling the early but joyful arrival of their daughter. 

That wasn’t all. Samantha poured her heart out in the rest of the caption. “Since that day, our hearts have been stolen… HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE, your parents love the hell out of you. We assume you’re gonna see this post someday, and please know that you are the most important thing on Earth to us,” she wrote.

Before Mackenzie’s birthday on Sunday, Mom Samantha also shared an emotional note on Pat’s 38th birthday. The former punter turned 38 on May 2 last week. Samantha, in a long, emotional post, shared the heartbreak the couple had to go through last year. She revealed that the couple experienced a miscarriage last year. And also had to deal with the loss of a close family member, along with a few dear friends and teammates.

But through all the grief and healing, joy found its way back into their lives as the couple celebrated their daughter’s big day this week.

Pat McAfee’s birthday play date with Mackenzie

As little Mackenzie celebrated her ‘Two the Moon’ moment, dad Pat McAfee jumped right into the fun. He went on a space-themed adventure with her. Samantha and Pat threw a super cute space party for their girl, packed with playdates and lots of laughs. While Mackenzie had her friends around, Pat went all-in, playing astronaut. And pretty much whatever his daughter wanted him to be.

Samantha posted a bunch of adorable pics from the party, with McAfee looking like he was having a blast with the kids. One shot had them wearing space helmets together. And in another, he was showing Mackenzie how to play golf inside with a plastic set.

Ms. McAfee shared another sweet moment from the party—a video of the 38-year-old Pat playing inside NASA tents with their daughter. “Things you do because your daughter says so,” Samantha captioned it.

Safe to say, Pat’s little one is already getting fast on her feet. As Samantha mentioned in the birthday post for Mackenzie. “You’re getting better at talking, walking/sprinting, hide and seeking, and kicking balls… All the while showcasing a personality that shines a little more each day,” she wrote.

Well, from space-themed adventures to heartfelt throwbacks, the McAfees made sure Mackenzie’s second birthday was one for the books. Despite all the chaos and heartbreak the couple faced, their little one turned it all into pure joy.