'Today' Host Hoda Kotb's 'Happy Friday' Message Lights up Social Media

Libby Birk

03/27/2020 02:18 pm EDT

Amid the dreary news cycle of recent weeks, Hoda Kotb is spreading some positivity. The Today show co-anchor took to Instagram early Friday morning to post a quote with an uplifting message. "Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts," the quote reads. Kotb captioned it, "Happy friday xoxo."

Even before the novel coronavirus was declared a global pandemic, Kotb made it a habit to share positive quotes like that, although they seem to have taken on a new meaning in recent weeks. Kotb, 55, made it clear that even her optimistic personality is not immune to the tough times. While speaking to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees about his decision to donate $5 million in coronavirus relief efforts, Kotb broke down in tears on the air during Friday's episode. The seasoned NBC anchor was just finishing up her interview with Brees when she fought back tears.

"I also think a lot of things are contagious, including generosity," Kotb said at the close of the interview with Brees. "So our hope is that because you let us know you made this big, generous donation, and I think other people look and think, 'Hey, maybe I can help out too.' Drew, we love ya!" she said, to which Brees responded, "Love you too, Hoda."

Transitioning into the next segment, Kotb noticeably choked up, beginning to cry as she apologized repeatedly. Kotb's co-host Savannah Guthrie, who was hosting from home amid a self-quarantine, encouraged her friend to take a minute and generously offered to read the tease for the upcoming segments, reassuring Kotb, "I know where your heart is, my dear, I do."

Continue on to see how fans reacted to Kotb's Instagram post early Friday morning, as well as her emotional moment on the air.

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Many of Kotb's 1.6 million Instagram followers responded enthusiastically to her message Friday morning.

"So true. Especially now," one Instagram user wrote.

"Hoda, you get me every time..thanks for your consistent positivity!!!" another wrote.

"Sooooo true... people say that we learn from hard times... I learned more from good people from kindnesses," another wrote.

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"Happy Friday Hoda. Thank you for all your kind words," someone else said.

"I love this so much," someone else said.

"Amen! Thank you for your dedication to bringing us positivity!!" another fan wrote.

"So true Hoda," another wrote.

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"I needed this today," another said. "So glad I started following you on [Instagram]. Be well."

"Biggest heart on TV," someone else wrote.

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Fans also responded to Kotb's same post on Twitter. "Thank you for giving us permission to grieve. Love you Hoda," one user wrote with a red heart emoji.

"And thank you Hoda and Savannah, Craig [Melvin], and Al [Roker] and the crew making all this possible to be connected to our morning friends to keep some semblance of normal life!! Enjoy your weekend and huge those babies!!" another said, referring to Kotb's two young daughters.

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"Loving you so much [Hoda Kotb]. Thanks for holding down the fort and not holding back on sharing your emotions during these unique and challenging times," another said. "Stay safe and stay well!"

"Hoda you are an extremely strong person!!! Keep doing what you are doing!!!" someone else wrote.

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Others sent encouragement after Kotb cried on the air.

"It's ok Hoda I know how much you love New Orleans," one person said. Kotb worked at a news station in New Orleans for six years in the 1990s. "Thank you prayers for my city family and friends."

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"Crying with you [Hoda Kotb]!! Hugging you from Michigan," one fan tweeted.

"Hoda, you [too] are a hero & so human. You went up an already high notch when you broke down. I am taking care of my BELOVED 6 & 4 year old grandsons while mom/dad work from home. I have the day off & simply broke down this morning, no luxury of breaking down when I'm with them," someone else said.

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