On Monday, the Today show cohosts opened up about the special moment they became mothers. For Jenna, she and her husband, Henry Chase Hager, welcomed their first daughter, Mila, in April 2013. Now, eight years later, the memory still brings tears to Jenna’s eyes.
“I remember that first morning of waking up and [being] a mom for the first time and having that adrenaline and exhaustion but excitement,” Jenna told Hoda on Today’s fourth hour.
For Hoda, she and her now-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, took the step of starting a family together four years into dating. In February 2017, the couple adopted their first daughter, Haley Joy.
At the time, Hoda and Joel were enjoying the arrival of their baby girl and were keeping the news to themselves. While stepping out to buy more milk though, Hoda had a profound exchange with a stranger that solidified the reality that she’s now a mother.
“People always, first question [is], ‘Do you have kids?’ That’s the first question. And I always say, ‘Oh my nieces, I love them so much.’ I always talk about my nieces,” Hoda recalled.
“And literally I dead stopped when that woman asked me, ‘Do you have kids?’ And I looked at her and I go, ‘Yeah, I do.’ Like I couldn’t believe I was saying it, I was like ‘Yes, I have a daughter, yes.’ And just to say the words out loud, we’re talking about like saying something out loud, it was so moving.”
Jenna couldn’t help but get emotional while listening to Hoda share her life-changing moment. Following the heartfelt TV segment, Jenna shared how much it meant for her.
She commented on a photo of the segment from the Today show’s official Instagram, “I love her and loved this moment. And also why does being closer to @hodakotb (less socially distanced!) make me want to cry with joy. PS pictures of me crying embarrass me just a bit. PPS there are many.”
Meanwhile, Today show fans appreciated Jenna putting her feelings out there. “Never be embarrassed by your tears. They come from your heart and your soul ❤️❤️.. you are wonderful Jenna ❤️,” one person wrote. “@jennabhager don’t be embarrassed.
It’s good to see the human side of people! Thanks for being authentic,” another added. “@jennabhager is just the sweetest gal,” a different fan said.
Others loved seeing Jenna and Hoda being so open about their experiences. “You two ladies make the BEST energy. Your friendship and mutual admiration oozes. A sheer pleasure to watch,” a follower commented. “I love these two beautiful beings together on the show ❤️,” someone else wrote.