ALEXANDRA, VIRGINIA: ‘Today’ host Hoda Kotb attended Fort Hunt High School’s 60th celebration, and her daughter, Hope, joined her as well.
Kotb received applause from the audience, as well as her fans after she spoke about being a “late bloomer” during her school reunion.
Kotb shed light on how all the “best things” in her life happened after she turned 50, and talked about adopting Haley and Hope, and the latter even joined her on stage, as Kotb delivered an emotional speech.
The ‘Today’ host's words resonated with several fans as Kotb’s speech made the rounds on Instagram leaving fans emotional.
Hoda Kotb attends her high school reunion with daughter Hope
In her speech at Fort Hunt High School, ‘Today’ host Hoda Kotb talked about being a “late bloomer."
She said, “The other thing I learned in high school was, it’s okay to be a late bloomer. All of the best things in my life happened after 50.”
She continued, “I wanted to have kids and I thought I had missed my window. One day, I was walking with a friend and she said, ‘Well, we didn’t want to have kids,’ and I said, ‘Actually I did,’ and she said, ‘You did? You never said you did.’”
“And I said, ‘Well, I didn’t think it could be true.’ I learned something. When you speak something out loud that you dream of there’s a possibility that it could happen. And so one day, I’m sitting on my best, you guys and I got a text from the adoption agency, and it said, ‘Call us immediately,’” added Kotb.
She then mentioned her first daughter, Haley, “I called up and I said, ‘Hello’ and the woman said two words on the phone I will never forget. She said, ‘She’s here,’” Said Kotb before she repeated as the audience applauded, “She’s here! She’s here. That was for my first daughter, Haley, and then two years later, I was at a book signing and it was Mardi Gras.”
Kotb then talked about her second daughter, “And the adoption agency called, and she said, ‘She’s here.’ And that is my second daughter, Hope. And guess what? She’s here!” Kotb then asked Hope to come join her on the stage.
The ‘Today’ host then recited one of her favorite poems as she held up Hope in her arms, “It’s not too late, you’re not too old, you’re better than you think, and you’re right on time.”
Kotb spoke more about returning to her high school on ‘Today with Hoda & Jenna’ however her speech about being a “late bloomer” remained the highlight.
Fans express gratitude towards Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb’s fans have shared their own experiences as they relate to the ‘Today,’ host.
One fan wrote, “This hits me so hard....I'm 46 and never had kids, but I still feel like I have so much unconditional love to give to a child," and another said, “I'm 45 and going through early menopause. I'm divorced and single but I have always wanted kids. Maybe this will happen to me someday.”
Fans continued to applaud and thank Kotb for her “powerful” speech, as one fan commented, “Thank you for this powerful speech,” and another wrote, “So beautiful and powerful.”
“Beautiful Hoda, I so admire you. God bless you for adopting your girls,” wrote one fan, as others expressed their love for the ‘Today’ host, “I love you! I needed this today."
