When Hoda Kotb announced her split from Joel Schiffman on an episode of Today in January 2022, it sent shockwaves through the world of celebrity relationships. Now, Hoda is sharing more about the challenges that led to the end of their partnership, offering a heartfelt glimpse into her personal journey.

A Heartfelt Reflection: Why Two Great People Sometimes Don’t Work Together

In a sneak peek of the August 13 episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Hoda spoke candidly about her split. "Joel is one of the best people I know, and he really is a great human being," she shared. "And I feel like I’m a pretty great human being too. But sometimes, even when you’ve got two amazing people in the mix, it’s just not enough to keep things working."

Growing Apart: The Inevitable Evolution of Relationships

Hoda, who celebrated her 60th birthday on August 9, explained that she and Joel, 66, were simply growing at different speeds. "We were kind of moving in different directions," she revealed. "It became really hard for us to stay in sync. You know, sometimes one person wants one thing, and the other person wants something else entirely. That’s just life." This evolution can happen to anyone, and Hoda acknowledged that it’s a common experience for couples navigating the complexities of modern relationships.

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A Journey Filled with Love and Growth

Hoda and Joel began dating in 2013, but they kept their romance private until 2015. By 2016, they had moved in together, and their lives changed forever in 2017 when they adopted their daughter, Haley. The family grew again in 2019 with the adoption of their second daughter, Hope, and the couple got engaged the same year. Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Hoda and Joel maintain a strong co-parenting bond for the sake of their children.

“Sometimes relationships evolve, and sometimes they don’t,” Hoda told People in August 2022, a few months after revealing their breakup. “Perfectly nice people can go their separate ways, and that’s okay. I don’t regret a single moment of our time together because it brought me to where I am today. I have two incredible children I share with Joel, and I owe so much of my journey to him. Without him, I might have been too afraid to take the leap on my own.”

Hoda Kotb Reveals Reason Why She and Joel Schiffman Broke Up — Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram

A Sweet Moment: Joel’s First “I Love You”

During a recent episode of Today, Hoda shared a touching detail about her relationship with Joel that left cohost Jenna Bush Hager absolutely smitten. "Joel was the one who said 'I love you' first," Hoda recalled. "I think it takes real courage to say those words first. It’s like standing out there, taking a risk, and putting yourself out there for the other person."

Hoda continued, "After he said it, he joked, 'Don’t leave me hanging out here in the wind by myself.' And I remember responding, 'No, I just want to sit with this feeling for a moment before I say anything. Sometimes we’re so quick to respond that we don’t take the time to really absorb what’s being said.'"

Jenna couldn’t help but gush, "Aw, it’s like a Hallmark movie!"

Moving Forward Together

Even after their split, Joel has remained a supportive presence in Hoda’s life. Just last week, he joined Hoda and their daughters for a joyful at-home party celebrating her 60th birthday. Photos from the celebration show the family standing together, smiling and embracing their shared history.