The sweet moment was part of Kotb’s 60th birthday party.
Hoda Kotb was overwhelmed with gratitude on Monday when Today celebrated her 60th birthday on August 9th with a star-studded party.
One moment that particularly tugged at her heartstrings: Co-host Jenna Bush Hager presented her with a portrait of Kotb walking with her daughters. As if that wasn’t beautiful enough, the artwork was created by none other than Bush’s father, former President George W. Bush. (Watch the video below.)
“I had my father, who started painting, paint your favorite photo of you holding your girls,” Bush said as Kotb unwrapped it. “I hope -“
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Then Bush realized how emotional Kotb was at receiving such a thoughtful and, thanks to the artist, even historic treasure. “Oh no,” Bush said in response to all the tears. “It’s too much! It’s too much! We have to watch a video. It’s too much!”
Kotb is the mother of two young daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, whom she adopted in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Their father is Kotb’s former fiancé, Joel Schiffman.
“I tell them they were adopted, and I’m not sure they know 100 percent what that means,” Kotb said on the PEOPLE show I’m going to be a mom Podcast in 2021. “I always say, ‘You don’t come from mommy’s belly, you come from my heart.’ And they understand that.”
In addition to her gift from Bush, Kotb was rewarded with a performance of one of her favorite songs, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” by artist Little Big Town, and a message from Oscar winner Sandra Bullock herself (see below). Of course, it was laced with Bullock’s trademark humor.
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“I had so many brilliant and funny things prepared for you for this message that were just amazing,” Bullock said with a serious expression. “But you know, girl, I’m just too tired. I’m tired because I had to go up the mountain before you got there so I could check out the grounds.”
Bullock, who turned 60 on July 26, shared what she learned in just over two weeks.
“It’s funny because people seem to want to scare us about what it might look like when we get there. It turns out it’s pretty damn amazing. It’s pretty impressive!” Bullock told her happily.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.
