On Tuesday Today anchor Hoda Kotb surprised fans with news that she’s adopted an infant daughter, Haley Joy, who was born (sweetness alert) on Feb. 14.
“She’s a Valentine’s baby,” Kotb, 52, said on a call into her NBC morning show announcing the news. “She is the love of my life.”
We're fans of Kotb. It's hard not to like somebody who's written a book titled: Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee. She's also an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness after her own diagnosis in 2007 after which she underwent a mastectomy. Kotb even allowed Today to document her cancer battle to smash the stigma of the disease and empower other women to share their stories. Kotb's our kind of woman. So we're glad (and relieved!) that her recent disappearance from Today was strictly good news.
Kotb had definitely been dropping major hints about the reason behind her recent time off, posting on social media, "And suddenly you just know it's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings," and "For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you." We were so onto you, Kotb. (It wasn't that hard.)
Kotb lives with her boyfriend, Joel Schiffman, who presumably will be on diaper duty as well.
More: Hoda Kotb has some inspiring words for fellow breast cancer warriors
Kotb’s Today co-hosts were clearly excited about their colleague's news. It was a major on-air lovefest, leaving us wondering if the gang hangs out after hours gossiping about The View and The Chew and hate-watching The Bachelor at Kotb's place.
We also really want to know how co-anchor Kathie Lee Gifford, who was in the loop, kept Kotb's secret under wraps.
"I’ve got the biggest mouth in the world and I’ve said zilch," she said. "Hoda, we are thrilled for you, sweetheart. You were made to be a mom."
Gifford followed up later with a tweet to her friend. “So thrilled for @hodakotb and her precious daughter, Haley Joy!! She will be the best mommy ever! We love you, Hoda, enjoy.”
Matt Lauer was equally thrilled. “This little girl Haley is the luckiest girl. You’re going to be one of the most fantastic moms I can ever imagine.”
And Savannah Guthrie tweeted, “Overjoyed for @hodakotb and her little comet Haley - a brilliant flash of light for our world. Love love love and LOVE"
More: Domestic adoption might be easier than you think
Our favorite celeb response, though, came from the guy we'd most like to be stuck in an elevator with. Carson Daly always knows just what to say.
“You’re going to be an incredible mother. You thought you drank a lot of wine before? Just wait,” he quipped.