Al Roker received the surprise of a lifetime when he opened his door Monday and was greeted by a large group of carolers that included people from his TODAY family.
The emotional moment took place just hours after the beloved weatherman made his first television appearance via Zoom since being admitted to the hospital in mid-November for blood clots in his legs and lungs.
The sweet serenade aired on TODAY Wednesday morning.
It didn’t take long for fans to notice the 68-year-old’s absence from the morning show.
On November 18, Roker addressed his absence on Instagram by sharing he had been hospitalized “with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.”
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery.”
His presence was especially missed during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was the first parade he missed in 27 years.
However, it was still a special day for Roker as he was released from the hospital just in time to enjoy a bit of the parade and Thanksgiving dinner.
Unfortunately, his time at home was short-lived. Roker returned to the hospital after the holiday where he spent the past few weeks.
His second hospital stay caused him to miss his hosting duties for the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center.
It was only recently that he returned home.
“Listen, it’s been a tough slog. I’m not going to deny this,” he said Monday during a video appearance on TODAY. “It’s been the hardest one yet, and you know I’ve had my share of surgeries. It gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I’m a very fortunate person.”
Roker explained his sickly look and why he didn’t plan on returning to his weatherman duties just yet.
“You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital, and I was in the hospital for four weeks,” he said. “It’s just a certain amount of weakness. I’m doing physical therapy every day, occupational therapy. I’ve got to just get my strength back.”
Despite his health issues, he said “I feel good, I feel strong, and every day I feel a little bit better.”
While fans across the country have sent prayers and well wishes, his TODAY family took it upon themselves to brighten his day by surprising him at home with their own rendition of “Jingle Bells” and a special version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Dylan Dreyer – who has been filling in for Roker – Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, and countless TODAY staff serenaded an emotional Al Roker in front of his New York City home.
“It was one of the most heartwarming moments I think (for) all of us,” Guthrie said of the moment. “Everybody was in tears, and it was just beautiful and so wonderful to see him.”
“It’s impressive you did that without a prompter,” Roker joked. But then he got serious and thanked everyone for their support during the past several weeks.
“I’ve missed you all so, so very much, all these faces,” he said. “It just means the world to me and to our family and my Deborah, who’s just been my rock. I thank you so much. I really appreciated it.”
We miss you Al! We’re all rooting for you and can’t wait to see you back on TV.
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