Al Roker is feeling the bittersweet emotions of time flying by as he watched his son take another big step into adulthood. The beloved Today show anchor recently shared that he and his wife, Deborah Roberts, accompanied their son, Nick Roker, to college for the start of his junior year on Sunday, August 25. It’s a moment that brings a mix of pride and nostalgia for the couple.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Al, now 70, captured the essence of this significant life chapter. “Dropped Nick off this afternoon. Hard to believe we have a college junior!! House is a little too quiet,” he wrote, alongside a series of candid photos showing the family decorating Nick’s dorm room. The images reveal the hands-on involvement of both parents in setting up their son's new home away from home, a testament to their close-knit bond.

Throughout the day, Al and Deborah shared plenty of tender moments with Nick, posing for snapshots and helping with the practical tasks of moving in. They were seen putting fresh sheets on his bed and organizing his belongings, making sure everything felt just right for his new college adventure. The final photo of the day captures Al and Deborah climbing back into the car, ready to head home, signaling the start of a new chapter—not just for Nick, but for the entire family.

Read also:
Wheres Lester Holt Fans Worry As Nbc Nightly News Goes On Without Him

Deborah Shares Emotional Thoughts on Social Media

Deborah Roberts also took to Instagram to express her feelings about this pivotal moment in their family’s life. Her post resonates with the emotions of countless parents who’ve walked this same path. “Well, that’s that. Move in, done. Nest is empty again. Certainly not as bad as year one,” she wrote, acknowledging the familiar cycle of letting go. “Yet, our hearts are sagging a bit. But his smile ensures that we will all be ok. Here’s to a great junior year, Nick. #emptynest #college #drop.”

Family Dynamics and Supportive Roots

For Al and Deborah, the transition is made a little easier by their proximity to Nick’s school. The couple, who also share daughter Leila Roker and Al’s eldest daughter, Courtney Roker Laga from his first marriage, own homes in both the Hudson River Valley and New York City. This means they’re just a short drive away from Nick, allowing them to visit frequently and stay connected.

Al Roker and Wife Deborah Roberts Drop Son Off at College — Courtesy of Al Roker/Instagram

Just last month, the family celebrated Nick’s 22nd birthday, marking another milestone in his journey to adulthood. Al marked the occasion with a sweet tribute on social media. “Seems like just yesterday this beautiful boy came into our lives but #justlikethat Nick is 22 years old. #happybirthday my young man,” he captioned a post filled with memories of their time together.

Grandparenthood Brings New Joys

Alongside these family transitions, Al and Deborah have been enjoying the joys of grandparenthood. Their granddaughter Sky, daughter of Courtney and her husband Wesley Laga, turned one last year, and the couple is thrilled to watch her grow. “By the time you become a grandparent, you already know what it takes to raise a child,” Al explained to TODAY.com after celebrating Sky’s first birthday. “And since it’s not your primary responsibility, you can really just bask in the joy of everything they do because you don’t have to worry about all the other stuff.”

Al has been a proud grandpa, sharing Sky’s milestones with his Today audience. “This past weekend she started crawling at our house and it’s like, ‘Oh, this is fantastic!’” he exclaimed, adding with a laugh, “I’m gonna have to start baby proofing.” He reflected on the unique joy of watching grandchildren grow, noting, “just reliving the joy of discovery of your child, only it’s once removed. So that now it really is just pure joy.”

Al is clearly impressed by the parenting skills of his daughter and son-in-law. “I’m very proud of my daughter and my son-in-law,” he said. “They’re terrific parents and they’ve raised this, so far, incredibly happy baby who’s just very content, and very adventurous when it comes to food and just has a very, very lovely, happy disposition. So it’s like, ‘Well, whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a great job. I know it feels like it’s this all-consuming gig because in fact it is. But you’re doing a great job.’”