It was Hoda Kotb's first Valentine's Day since her split from Joel Schiffman, and she was in for a truly heartwarming surprise. The Today show host, who is no stranger to making viewers smile, found herself on the receiving end of some festive cheer. After a routine trip to the eye doctor with her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, Hoda returned home to find her sister, Hala, had transformed the house into a balloon-filled paradise. In a sweet Instagram video, Hoda shared this delightful moment with her fans, capturing the pure joy of her family.
A Sweet Gesture on a Special Day
Hoda Kotb recounted the heartwarming scene on a segment of Today with cohost Jenna Bush Hager. "We got home, and it was after our normal dinner time. Everyone was hungry, but as we walked in, my sister had sent this amazing bunch of balloons," Hoda shared. "And let’s be honest, what do kids want for Valentine’s Day? They want fun, excitement, and love, and this was so awesome." The surprise perfectly captured the spirit of love and togetherness that Hoda cherishes, proving that Valentine's Day is about celebrating all kinds of relationships.
Recalling Love and Family Milestones
Hoda announced her split from Joel Schiffman on January 31, revealing that the two had decided they were "better as friends and parents" than as an engaged couple. The financier proposed to the New York Times bestselling author in 2019, and their relationship had been public since 2015. Together, they adopted Haley in February 2017 and Hope in April 2019. Despite the breakup, Hoda remains deeply connected to these family milestones. "It was such a beautiful moment," she said about the Valentine's Day surprise. "And again, this is around the time when we adopted Haley, so it’s a bit — there’s so many celebrations. It’s called a Gotcha Day, where you recognize that this little girl came into your arms. We watched a video of the day I got to pick Haley up. So it’s beautiful. Love is in the air!"
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Jenna Bush Hager Joins in the Admiration
Jenna Bush Hager, like many of Hoda’s fans, was charmed by the video. In the clip, Hoda’s daughters jumped up and down with excitement as teddy bears sat cozily on the sofa around them. Jenna reflected on the scene, saying, "I watched your video after a glass of wine or two on my way home in a taxi, and I just thought to myself, 'Love comes in many different forms.'"
Hoda and Joel remain committed to co-parenting their children as they adjust to their new lives post-breakup. Hoda continues to express nothing but kindness and gratitude toward Joel. "He’s a great guy. He’s a very kind and loving person, and I feel privileged to have spent eight years with him," she told viewers. "We are both good, and we are both kind of going on our way and our path. We’ll be good parents to those two lovely kids."
