You’re never too old to get a pop-up at work from your parents!
Broadcast journalist Craig Melvin got the visit of a lifetime recently when his parents surprised him on his first day at work as co-anchor of the TODAY show, TODAY reports. A veteran reporter, Melvin has been with NBC News for almost 14 years, joining TODAY as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie after Hoda Kotb announced her departure after 17 years on the show and 26 years with NBC News. While the new role was already momentous for Melvin, he was brought to tears on his first day on air as his wife, children, and parents surprised him at work.
“When I left this morning, you were all in bed!,” exclaimed Melvin as his children walked out.
A proud father as his son held the mic, Melvin was visibly emotional once his mom started to speak about what the moment meant for her.
“I have butterflies in my stomach today. I always knew that he was going to do whatever it is..and I’ve always encouraged him. Do what you can do. High expectations. You’re not going to disappoint anybody if it’s not the top, but do your very best. And he has proven to me and everybody else that he has done his very best. And he deserves this. We love you,” said his mother, Betty Jo.
View this post on Instagramadvertisement
By the time Guthrie got to Melvin’s Dad, they were both overcome with emotions as his father reflected on his early years as a young boy who seemed to always have a knack for reporting.
“He would come home from school, and I worked the third shift. And he would always tell me, ‘Dad, Dad, let me tell you something.’ And I would always say, ‘I think Dad needs to get some rest.’ But he just kept going and going. He always had something to say. So, here he is,” said his father, Lawrence.
“We didn’t know if he was going to be a preacher, a politician or a journalist,” his mother added jokingly.
Melvin dabbed at his eyes as he let the weight of the moment and the accomplishment sit with him.
“Here’s the thing…I’m not sitting on this couch with you if it weren’t for those two,” Melvin said matter of factly.
The day was full of heartwarming moments, with Melvin’s brother Ryan joining in on the occasion and Hoda Kotb sending a special pre-recorded message congratulating Melvin on his next journey.
“Craig-or! It’s your first day. How does it feel? First of all, I’m so proud of you, and I wanted to let you know just how proud of you I am, because, first of all, you’re going to be fantastic. Go get ‘em, Craig! You’ve got this,” said Hoda.
Cover photo: Journalist Craig Melvin Is Surprised by Parents on First Day as Co-Anchor of ‘TODAY’ Show/Photo credit: TODAY Show/Craig Melvin/Instagram