Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin were left fighting back tears on Friday morning after the show’s control room surprised them with pre-recorded messages from their children back home.
Hoda, 59, and Craig, 45, have been in Paris for just over a week now hosting the popular NBC show live from France for the 2024 Summer Olympics alongside Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie.
Craig, Hoda, and Savannah, 52, were clearly touched as sweet videos from their kids played out just after 8am on Friday – with Craig’s message coming up first as his two children, Delano, 10, and Sybil, seven, sat by side-by-side in what appeared to be a bedroom and said in unison: ‘Hi Daddy, miss you, we love you very much.’
Hoda’s two daughters Haley, seven, and four-year-old Hope, were up next and were dressed in Team USA merch as they sat on a white sofa and announced excitedly: ‘Hi mommy, we love you and miss you, go Team USA!’
Last but not least was Savannah’s two kids, daughter Vale, nine, and her seven-year-old son, Charley, who were stood in front of huge glass doors – which appeared to lead out to a back garden – as they said: ‘Hi mom, we’re counting down the days until we see you again, I miss you and I love you. Go Team USA!’
Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin were left fighting back tears on Friday morning
Hoda’s two daughters Hope and Haley were dressed in Team USA merch as they recorded a sweet message for their mom
As it cut back to the live studio, which is situated in front of the Eiffel Tower, Craig was seen wiping his eyes as Savannah announced: ‘Okay, we’re gonna need some tissues.’
‘That was so sweet!’ Hoda commented as she placed her hand on her chest, before Savannah admitted: ‘You know what’s so funny, I heard those voices in my ears before we came on and I was like, “that sounds like Vale and Charley,” but then I was just like, it couldn’t be.’
Hoda then announced: ‘We want to say thank you to our control room for doing that for us, that was really sweet,’ as Craig added: ‘We love being here, obviously, but we miss you guys.’
‘Yeah, we miss home, we love them,’ Savannah said as Craig spoke to directly to his children and said into the camera: ‘I miss you too guys, 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.
One person wrote: ‘Aww precious!! Made my day seeing that, you all are so loved and are doing a fabulous job as always. Thank you Today for being a joy for me every morning.’
Another said: ‘You all are great parents!!!’ and a third fan commented: ‘Best post ever!!!’
It’s unsure how much longer the trio will be in Europe for, but the 2024 summer Olympics will continue until Sunday, August 11.
Hoda (right) was clearly touched and thanked the control room for organizing the cute messages
Craig’s children Delano and Sybil sat side-by-side as they told their famous father that they miss him
Savannah’s kids Charley and Vale recorded their message whilst standing in front of glass doors which led out to a garden
The hosts are certainly having the trip of a lifetime whilst in France, and earlier this week, they were given their own personal tour of the Palace of Versailles.
Al and Craig were also pictured enjoying gigantic croissants in Paris, while Hoda and Savannah got the chance to hang out with some of the Can-can dancers from the Moulin Rouge show.
And when they’ve not been hosting Today and interviewing athletes, they’ve been in the stands cheering on Team USA – and were even present for when Simone Biles won gold in the gymnastics on Thursday.
