Hoda Kotb Emotionally Reacts to Maria Shriver's Support on 1st Day of 'Today' Show after Maternity Leave

Hoda Kotb, journalist and author, gets teary-eyed as she was joined by Maria Shriver, on her first day of "Today" show after months of maternity leave.

Kotb, the mother of two, was very emotional about returning to the "Today" show alongside her guest co-host, Maria Shriver, for the hour series, "Hoda & Jenna."

"It feels great," Kotb said, with watery eyes, about being back. She had been on maternity leave since she adopted Hope Catherine back in April. "I love that," Shriver replied.

THE HOSTS OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTIONS

Kotb appreciated Shriver's presence as a guest co-host, while Jenna Bush Hager is on maternity leave herself. Jenna gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Henry "Hal" Harold just this August.

"Maria, I'm so happy you're here … they said who should be here when you come back and literally, I could only think of one person, and it was you," the author said.

Both of the show's hosts seemed touched, being in together as hosts. Shriver said that she felt the love for her radiating from Kotb. She added:

"When you can let your friend know that you love them and they're important, that's the greatest gift that you can give to another human being in our lives."

KOTB EXCITED TO BE BACK TO WORK

Earlier that day, the mother of two also met her co-host, Savannah Guthrie and shared how excited she was to get back to work.

"I went to bed last night, I popped up at 3:15 and I was like, 'I get to come home,'" Kotb shared.

Kotb took to Instagram last month to announce that she was "coming back to work," and went on to say, "this was the best summer of [her] life," as she spent so much of her time with her daughters. Even in the post, she expressed her love for her work.

"I've loved every second of it, but you know what else I'm going to love, coming back to you guys," she said.