It is a bittersweet time for Deborah Roberts and Al Roker.
Over the weekend, the couple's youngest son returned to college, although the ABC anchor had to miss his college drop off for the first time.
In addition to Nick, 24, the couple, married since 1995, are also parents to daughter Leila, 27, plus the TODAY anchor shares Courtney, 39, with late ex-wife Alice Bell.
© InstagramAs Al dropped off Nick at college — he graduated with an associate's degree in May 2025 and is now working on his bachelor's — Deborah took to Instagram and shared a sweet snap of him proudly standing in his set up dorm room.
She next shared a selfie of Al and Nick, and wrote: "It's that time. And the first back to college move that I've missed."
"But proud of the boys for getting Nick set up! Well done! Wishing you a fabulous year @nickroker155!" she added, teasing: "(Wonder how long the room will stay clean?)"
© InstagramFans were then quick to take to the comments section under the post and gush over it, with one writing: "Snagging a corner room is great! I'll bet a little peace and quiet is what you're looking for this year, Nick," as others followed suit with: "That was fast. Feels like you just picked him up," and: "Have a great school year young man!" as well as: "They did a great job!!"
Al also took to Instagram and shared similar dorm photos, writing in his own caption: "Another drop off for my young man, @nickroker155 . Gonna miss him but as Al Roker, Sr. always said, #cantmissyouifyoudontleave. So very proud of him."
The veteran TV host has been part of the TODAY family since 1996 — and with NBC since 1978 — and in 2024, shortly after Hoda Kotb announced that she would be leaving the program, he spoke exclusively to HELLO! about what makes the show so great.
© Instagram"You know, it would be more bitter than sweet if she was leaving, leaving," he shared at the time, maintaining: "She's just transitioning into a different role." Plus, as Hoda's role evolves, Al also maintained that "the great thing about the Today Show" is that "the sum is greater than its equal parts."
© InstagramGushing over the likes of fellow anchors Craig Melvin, plus Sheinelle Jones — who replaced Hoda on 4th Hour with Jenna Bush Hager — Laura Jarrett, Peter Alexander and Willie Geist, he said: "They've all subbed, they've all stepped in, and we don't miss a beat."
"So no matter what happens, we're going to be in great shape," Al ensured, noting that the show, which has been on the air since 1952, for a whopping 72 years, is "built to evolve." He further reflected: "Each one of us is very fortunate to be in this position, for however long we have, and then we pass the baton off to somebody else. So the future of the show is just as strong and bright no matter who steps in."
