Craig Melvin's Heartwarming Surprise On His First Day As ‘Today’ Coanchor

The Moment That Moved Craig Melvin

It was a day Craig Melvin will never forget. On his very first episode as coanchor of the iconic Today show alongside Savannah Guthrie, his family surprised him live on air. If you’ve ever had one of those moments where everything clicks—where dreams, hard work, and love all come together—this was it for Craig. The emotional reaction was caught on camera, and boy, was it powerful.

Imagine this: Craig sitting there, ready to dive into his new role, when suddenly his whole family walks onto the stage. His kids, Delano and Sybil, led the charge, followed by his wife Lindsay Czarniak, his parents Lawrence and Betty Jo, and even his brother Ryan. It was a full-blown family reunion right there in front of millions of viewers.

A Truly Emotional Reaction

Craig, who is 45 years young, was visibly overwhelmed by the sweet surprise. As the cameras rolled, he stood up and hugged each member of his family one by one. His wife Lindsay, who is 47, gave him a tender kiss before turning to greet the other cohosts. They all posed for a memorable photo together on the Today stage, capturing a moment that will stay with Craig forever.

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“When I left this morning, you were all in bed!” Craig exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and joy. It’s moments like these that remind us how special family can be, especially during milestones in our lives.

Lindsay’s Playful Remark

“We faked it,” Lindsay joked, referring to the elaborate plan they had cooked up to surprise Craig. It’s little details like this that make the story so relatable. After all, who doesn’t love a well-executed surprise?

And let’s talk about Delano, Craig’s 10-year-old son. This kid was dressed to impress, rocking a suit and sporting a microphone just like his dad. Craig couldn’t help but notice. “Oh, you got a microphone, buddy,” he said, to which Delano proudly replied, “I’m professional!”

Delano’s Heartfelt Words for His Dad

But it didn’t stop there. Delano didn’t just show up looking sharp; he also had some heartfelt words for his dad. “He’s a great dad, and he deserves to be here today,” Delano said, melting hearts everywhere. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, nothing will.

Sybil’s Thoughtful Note

Sybil, Craig’s 8-year-old daughter, added her own special touch to the surprise. She had prepared a note sharing what she loves most about her dad. “My dad loves to play with me. He loves tickle fights and he watches TV shows with me,” she read aloud, bringing a big smile to Craig’s face. There’s nothing quite like hearing your child express their love for you in such a pure and genuine way.

A New Chapter Begins

Craig officially took his place in the coanchor chair on Monday morning, January 13, alongside Savannah Guthrie, following Hoda Kotb’s departure from the show on January 10. It’s clear that his family, friends, and colleagues are thrilled to see him in this new position. Over the years, Craig has become a beloved figure at NBC, and this promotion feels like the recognition he deserves.

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A Wife’s Perspective

Lindsay spoke about the significance of this moment for Craig. “It’s surreal, and to me, it symbolizes belief because you know, you dare to dream a dream and then to see it actually come true, it makes me think about a spouse making it to the Super Bowl, or like, the game-winning catch. That’s what this feels like,” she said, capturing the essence of what this achievement means for Craig.

A Mother’s Pride

Craig’s mom, Betty Jo, was equally thrilled. “We didn’t know if he was going to be a preacher, a politician, or a journalist,” she joked, highlighting the uncertainty of parenting a child with big dreams. But now, as she watched her son step into this new chapter, her pride was evident. “I have butterflies in my stomach today,” she admitted. “He deserves this. I love you.”

Hoda’s Heartfelt Message

Even Hoda Kotb, the woman Craig is replacing, sent her best wishes. In a prerecorded video, she said, “Craig-or! It’s your first day. How does it feel? First of all, I’m so proud of you, and I wanted to let you know just how proud of you I am, because, first of all, you’re going to be fantastic. Go get ‘em, Craig. You’ve got this!”