Craig Melvin was so shocked by news of Hoda Kotb's Today show exit that he thought the decision to leave wasn't hers. "My dressing room is two over from hers, and she knocks on my door one morning, which was unusual.

Craig Melvin's debut as co-anchor of Today proved to be an emotional one. On Monday, January 13, the 45-year-old broadcast journalist — who began his first day in his new gig — received a video message and a handwritten letter from his predecessor, Hoda Kotb, whose last day was Friday, January 10.

Craig Melvin shined during his first day on the job as Hoda Kotb’s replacement on Today on Monday. The NBC personality sat next to Savannah Guthrie at the news desk to welcome viewers to the program during the first episode since Hoda’s departure.