Hoda Kotb faced criticism from viewers who called her a “bad mother” after she blamed her daughter for ruining her Valentine’s Day plans.

Hoda Kotb’s Valentine’s Day was extra special this year as she celebrated a major milestone in her daughter Haley’s life.

The former Today show host, who turned 60 this year, marked Haley’s eighth birthday,

making the occasion even more memorable by celebrating it in their new home for the first time.

The television personality relocated her family from their Manhattan apartment to a home in Westchester County last year.

While the move was an exciting step forward, it also carried an emotional weight for Hoda, who reflected on the memories she made in their previous home.

“Both Haley and Hope came home there, and I remember them trying to crawl up the stairs,” Hoda shared sentimentally. “Now, they race up and down.

I was thinking about the very first time we brought them home, carrying them up those stairs in their car seats.”

The change brought a mix of emotions for Hoda, who shares her two daughters, Haley and five-year-old Hope, with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. “It’s like you want to hold onto things and you want to let go at the same time,” she admitted. “I can’t believe I have a seven and a five-year-old, and I can’t believe all the memories we built there.”

Despite the nostalgia, the move represents a significant upgrade for Hoda and her daughters. Transitioning from a two-bedroom apartment to a spacious house, the new home provides more comfort and personal space for the family.

“The kids will have their own rooms—it’s three bedrooms upstairs: mine, then one for Haley and one for Hope,” she revealed during an on-air discussion with her former Today co-host, Jenna Bush Hager.

She shared her daughters’ excitement about their new space, explaining, “They’re thrilled to have their own rooms. They’re excited about their reading chair, their beanbag chair, their beds—all of it.”

For Hoda, the priority remains simple: “All I really want is for the kids to be warm and cozy, for it to be a place where they can hang out and feel at home.”

Haley’s birthday was not only a special moment in their new home but also her first since Hoda stepped away from the Today show after 17 years. Hoda announced her decision to leave in September 2024, citing a desire to explore new opportunities and, most importantly, spend more time with her daughters.

Haley has been a central figure in Hoda’s life since her adoption in 2017. The journalist, who was 52 at the time, joyfully called into the Today show just days after bringing Haley home, breaking down in tears as she declared, “She is the love of my life!”

Two years later, Hoda expanded her family by adopting Hope, and she once again shared her excitement on air. She recalled how Haley quickly embraced her role as a big sister, adding even more love and joy to their home.

As Hoda adjusts to life outside the morning television spotlight, her replacement has officially been named. On November 14, 2024, it was announced that Craig Melvin would step into her role, joining Savannah Guthrie as a co-host on the Today show.

During the emotional transition, Hoda expressed nothing but admiration for her successor. “Craig was literally made for this job,” she gushed. “You have all the things this job needs. You are the right person for it.”

Craig, in turn, credited Hoda with revitalizing the show during her tenure, acknowledging, “You saved this show.”

While her departure from Today marks the end of an era, Hoda is embracing her new chapter with enthusiasm, focusing on creating meaningful experiences with her daughters. As she and her family settle into their new home, they continue to make cherished memories—starting with an unforgettable eighth birthday celebration for Haley.

For Hoda, it’s clear that this new beginning is filled with love, warmth, and the promise of many more milestones to come.