Copyright Parade
Some people spend Sunday nights scrolling. Others curl up with a movie. Hoda Kotb? She spent hers at the dinner table — ex included — proving co-parenting can be pretty beautiful. On Monday, November 3, the 61-year-old retired NBC star shared a rare family moment on Instagram, captioning it simply: “Funday Sunday!” The carousel of photos showed Kotb smiling with her daughters, Haley, 8, and Hope, 6, joined at the table by her former fiancé, Joel Schiffman. Their dog Waffles even made an appearance between plates of comfort food and lingering Halloween décor. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 The post immediately lit up with love. “So happy to see Joel with the girls!!!” one fan wrote. “I ABSOLUTELY love this! My family is always amazed at the ‘inclusivity’ that happens in my house, no matter the circumstances. It’s ALWAYS about the kids and love,” another added. “Your girls are so beautiful. Glad to see happy family time thru co-parenting. Just perfect,” a third chimed in. While Kotb’s “Funday Sunday” post melted hearts, it’s not the first time she’s shared glimpses of family time with her ex. In March, she posted a carousel of photos that included Schiffman alongside their daughters during a weekend outing. “Couple of fun ones ! Xo here’s to family ❤️❤️,” she wrote at the time. 🍳 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳 The proud mom followed that up in June with a sweet Father’s Day tribute, posting pictures of Schiffman with the girls. “A great father’s day for a great dad ! Happy father’s day Joel!” she captioned the post. For those out of the loop, Kotb and Schiffman’s story started back in 2013, when they met at a Wall Street event where she was speaking. What began as a casual introduction quickly turned into a long-term relationship that spanned nearly a decade. They got engaged in November 2019 after six years together but never made it down the aisle. During their time together, Kotb adopted two daughters — Haley in 2017 and Hope in 2019 — both while the pair were a couple. Schiffman proudly stepped into the role of “Dad,” appearing in family photos and Today show stories over the years. When Kotb announced their split on air in January 2022, she told viewers the two “we’re better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,” adding that they would remain “loving parents to our adorable, delightful children.” Since then, they’ve kept their promise. Between birthdays, holidays, and now cozy Sunday dinners, Kotb and Schiffman continue to show that family doesn’t always need a marriage license — just love, teamwork, and a really good sense of humor.
