Kalani Miller’s First Mother’s Day Reflects a Life Transformed—And Unnamed
Mother’s Day this year carried new weight for Kalani Miller. Known for her beach-born brand Mikoh and her two-decade relationship with surfing legend Kelly Slater, Miller entered the holiday not just as a partner or entrepreneur—but as a mom. Ten months after giving birth to their son, her reflections revealed a transformation as profound as the ocean tides that shaped her life.
“This year… it carries a whole new meaning,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring her, Slater, and their baby. The simple joy of waking up to her son’s “biggest, toothy smile” marked a quiet, powerful shift from her past life of jet-setting and business strategy to nurturing presence. “Thank you, Kelly, for making me a mommy,” she added, honoring the new bond that motherhood has forged in her world.
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The caption was layered with honesty. She acknowledged the unexpected difficulties of postpartum life, but also the extraordinary depth of love that emerged in its wake. From “really hard moments” to everyday joy—the look in her son’s eyes, his gestures, his laughter—Miller painted a picture of motherhood that’s as raw as it is radiant.
No Name, No Rush
Kelly Slater, now 53, has embraced this chapter with similar grace—and eccentricity. Back in August 2024, he admitted they hadn’t settled on what to call their son, despite having a legal name on the birth certificate. “We actually don’t call him anything,” he said, explaining that they were waiting to let his personality shape the name naturally. “We’re kind of just letting him figure out what his personality is.” It’s a perspective that feels deeply Slater: Zen-like, deliberate, and open-ended—like reading the ocean for the perfect wave.
A Community of Women Behind Her
Kalani didn’t make the day just about her own journey. She thanked her mom, who she described as “the most incredible example,” and her sisters, who became mothers around the same time. She even gave a shoutout to their dog, Action, “the best girl,” and the circle of women who supported her through new motherhood—whether it was meals, advice, or attempts at stroller walks (“he doesn’t love a stroller lol”).
“This season of life,” she wrote, “has been made even more special… going through it alongside you.” Her words landed with the honesty of a woman stepping into the most meaningful role of her life—not by perfect planning, but by presence.
As for their son’s name? In true Kelly and Kalani style, it’s not about the label—it’s about the journey.