hoda family

Today Show's Hoda Kotb shares heartbreaking moment she broke down over adoption fears

Hoda is now a mom of two

Rebecca Lewis - Los Angeles
Los Angeles correspondentLos Angeles
October 16, 2021

Hoda Kotb has shared the moment she broke down in tears on her fiance's chest after they decided to adopt children.

MORE: Hoda Kotb baffled by co-star live on air during hilarious exchange 

The Todayhost, 57, and Joel Schiffman are parents to two daughters, and Hoda has now recalled how she first broached the subject with Joel, 63.

WATCH: Hoda Kotb celebrates her birthday with her two adorable children 

"I was terrified," she shared, admitting she didn't know what his reaction would be and that what was scarier was that she was "going to do it anyway".

Hoda hadn't been able to sleep in the weeks leading up to the conversations, and she told him that she couldn't "carry" it alone anymore but that she wanted him to "take a week, take as long as you need" to think it over.

MORE: Today's Hoda Kotb makes difficult parenting confession

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Speaking to People, Hoda continued: "I looked him in the eye and I said, 'I would like to explore adoption with you.' And there was like a second there, I was like, 'This is the end of a relationship or the beginning of a family.'

"My heart was pounding and he just looked at me and he said, 'I don't need a week.' At that moment, I fell on his chest and was sobbing."

hoda kotb sunset joel

Joel said yes immediately

The mom-of-two shared how she knew that she had picked the right man to spend her life with, that she had chosen a man who would "choose my happiness over his convenience".

Joel and Hoda's nuptials have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but they are hoping to wed soon.

Hoda and Joel are parents to two girls

In October 2020 she also revealed that they are ready to open their hearts and adopt another child; the couple share daughters Hope Catherine, two, and Haley Joy, four.

However, while she still remains hopeful that it will happen, the pandemic has forced the process to become slower than normal and that they are "waiting wisely".

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