Hosts Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin were forced to hold back tears Friday morning after being surprised in the show’s control room with pre-recorded messages from their children at home.
Hoda, 59, and Craig, 45, have been in Paris for over a week now to co-host the hit NBC show live from France with Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Craig, Hoda and Savannah, 52, were clearly moved when adorable videos of their children were played just after 8 a.m. Friday morning. Craig’s message was the first to appear as his two children, Delano, 10, and Sybil, 7, sat next to each other in what appeared to be a bedroom and said in unison: “Hi Dad, I miss you, we love you so much.”
Hoda’s two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, were next. They sat on a white couch dressed in Team USA merchandise and excitedly shouted, “Hi Mom, we love and miss you, keep it up Team USA!”
Last but certainly not least, Savannah’s two children, nine-year-old daughter Vale and seven-year-old son Charley, stood in front of the huge glass doors – which appeared to lead to a backyard – as they said, “Hi Mom, counting down the days until we see you again, I miss you and I love you. Go for it Team USA!”
Today’s hosts, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin, fought back tears Friday morning
Hoda’s two daughters Hope and Haley were dressed in Team USA merchandise as they recorded a sweet message for their mother
As we headed back to the live studio, located in front of the Eiffel Tower, we saw Craig wiping his eyes as Savannah announced, “Okay, we need some tissues.”
“That was so sweet!” Hoda said, placing her hand on her chest, before Savannah admitted, “You know what’s funny? I heard those voices in my ears before we started and I thought, ‘That sounds like Vale and Charley,’ but then I thought, ‘That can’t be true.’”
Hoda then announced, “We want to thank the control room for doing that for us, that was really sweet,” while Craig added, “We’re thrilled to be here, obviously, but we miss you guys.”
“Yeah, we miss home, we love them,” Savannah said as Craig spoke directly to his children, saying into the camera, “I miss you too, guys, I love you,” as he blew them a kiss.
When the sweet moment was shared on Today’s official Instagram page, viewers were quick to comment on the post.
Someone wrote: ‘Aww baby!! This made my day seeing this, you are all so loved and doing an amazing job as always. Thank you Today for making me happy every morning.’
Another said: ‘You are all amazing parents!!!’ and a third fan commented: ‘Best post ever!!!’
It is not yet clear how long the trio will remain in Europe, but the 2024 Summer Olympics last until Sunday, August 11.
Hoda (right) was clearly moved and thanked the control room for organizing the cute messages
Craig’s children Delano and Sybil sat next to each other as they told their famous father they missed him
Savannah’s children, Charley and Vale, recorded their message while standing in front of glass doors leading to a garden
The hosts are undoubtedly having the trip of a lifetime during their stay in France, and earlier this week they were even given a personal tour of the Palace of Versailles.
Al and Craig were also photographed enjoying giant croissants in Paris, while Hoda and Savannah got the chance to hang out with some cancan dancers from the Moulin Rouge show.
And when they weren’t hosting Today and interviewing athletes, they were in the stands cheering on Team USA. They were even there when Simone Biles won gold in gymnastics on Thursday.