Hey there, friends! Let's talk about something truly heartwarming. Hoda Kotb, the beloved host of Today, decided to revisit her roots this past weekend by attending her high school reunion. And guess what? She didn’t go alone—she brought along her adorable youngest daughter, Hope. Imagine that: a mom and her little girl walking the halls where it all began for Hoda.
Fort Hunt High School Welcomes Back a Star
Hoda, who is now 59, is an alumna of Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia. This reunion wasn’t just any get-together; it marked the school’s 60th anniversary. Talk about timing! Hoda wasn’t just any attendee; she had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the event. That’s right—she stood on that stage, sharing her story with the people who knew her back when she was just a teenager figuring things out.
Keynote Speech: A Story of Growth and Resilience
During her speech, Hoda opened up about her journey in life and how she became a late bloomer. “It was so fun,” she shared with Jenna Bush Hager on an episode of Today aired on Monday, October 2. She went on to say, “And at the end, I was telling a story about how I was a late bloomer in high school and a late bloomer in life. The best things in my life happened after 50.” Can you imagine hearing that from someone as accomplished as Hoda? It’s a powerful reminder that life doesn’t always follow the script we imagine.
Read also:Why Fans Love Willie Geist And Jenna Bush Hager Together
Hope Makes the Moment Even More Special
Having Hope by her side made the experience even more meaningful for Hoda. It was like life coming full circle. She cherishes those moments of reconnecting with her former classmates, and bringing Hope along added a layer of sweetness to it all. Hoda explained, “I said one of the best calls I ever got in my life was when the phone rang and it was the adoption agency. I didn’t know what a birth felt like. I’ve never given birth to a child, but when you get a phone call and you listen, and I said, ‘Hello,’ and the woman on the other end at the adoption agency said, ‘She’s here.’ And I thought, ‘She’s here.’”
Hoda welcomed Hope into her life in April 2019 through a surrogate with her then-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. They’re also parents to Haley, who was born in February 2017 through the same arrangement. While Haley wasn’t present at the reunion, there’s no denying the bond Hoda shares with both her daughters.
Hope Takes the Stage: A Memorable Moment
During the reunion, Hoda shared a beautiful moment with Hope, who confidently walked up on stage wearing Hoda's old high school cheerleading uniform. “Little Hope came buzzing up on the stage, not afraid of anything,” Hoda recounted. “It was a fun, fun weekend. I got to see old friends. It was so cool.” Can you picture it? A proud mom watching her daughter strut across the stage, bringing joy to everyone in the room.
Jenna Bush Hager: The People's Favorite
Hoda also mentioned that her former classmates were huge fans of Jenna Bush Hager, her co-host on Today. “Oh, they asked about you a thousand times, you’re very popular,” Hoda joked with Jenna. “They’re like, ‘How’s Jenna? How’s Jenna?’ I’m like, ‘Jenna’s good, let’s get back to me though.’” It’s clear that Hoda and Jenna have a special bond, and it’s reflected in how much Hoda’s classmates admire Jenna.
Hope's Journey Through Illness
Speaking of Hope, her presence at the reunion came just seven months after she was hospitalized due to an illness. Hoda opened up about this difficult time earlier this year, saying, “My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week.” She expressed her gratitude for Hope’s recovery, saying, “I’m so grateful she’s home. She is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I’m just so happy.”
