Today's Craig Melvin Shares the Sweet Thing He Does Every Morning for Kids Delano and Sybil (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Today’s new co-anchorCraig Melvinmay have a very early start to his day (3:45 a.m. to be exact), but he always makes time to send a sweet message to his children as he heads to work.

“There are these things called Loveboxes,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “Every morning in the car, I send them a message, and they lift the top of the box and they can read the message from dad that particular morning. And usually it’s some sort of motivational message or it’s a picture that we took the day before.”

He adds, “It’s like, I’m not there, but I’m there.”

Craig Melvin with son Delano, Miles the dog, wife Lindsay Czarniak and daughter Sybil at home in Westport, CT on Jan. 6, 2025.Allison Michael Orenstein

Allison Michael Orenstein

Melvin sharesson Delano, 10, and daughter Sybil, 8, with his wife of 13 yearsLindsay Czarniak. His schedule is about to get even busier has he takes overHoda Kotb’s seat as theco-anchor of theTodayshow, but he always packs in as much family time as possible.

“I focus on quality, not necessarily quantity,” Melvin says. “I know it sounds small, but unless I’m traveling, we always have dinner together.”

Craig Melvin.Allison Michael Orenstein

Still, “I’m going to miss some stuff,” he admits, noting that he’s coaching his son’s basketball team.

“I’ve missed a few practices this season. I’ve missed a few games because of work stuff. But when we’re together, I’m here, I’m as present as humanly possible.”

He credits Czarniak for his ability to find balance. “She’s the best mom,” Melvin says. “Just watching her in action is amazing. Juggling her schedule, juggling my schedule, and always being totally present.”

He says the one thing that’s “worked for them” in their marriage is his ability to “follow instructions very well.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak at home in Westport, CT on Jan. 6, 2025.Allison Michael Orenstein

“Years ago I had a boss who told me in a performance review, she was like, ‘You’re coachable. That’s one of the things that makes you an asset to the newsroom. You’re coachable,’ " Melvin recalls. “And I think in marriage, I’ve been coachable.”

“And God bless her because she puts up with a lot,” the NBC anchor adds of his wife. “When your husband’s getting up for work at ‘O dark 30,’ and he’s not always that quiet, and sometimes the phone rings in the middle of the night, she has put up with a lot for a long time.”

Czarniak, Delano and Sybil all surprised Melvinon his first day as co-anchor on Monday, Jan. 13. The sweet surprise brought tears to his eyes.

“When I left this morning, you were all in bed!” Melvin said.

“We faked it,” Czarniak admitted, laughing.

Craig Melvin’s family surprises him on first day as Today’s co-anchor.NBC

NBC

Delano praised his father on air. “He’s a great dad, and he deserves to be here today,” Delano said as Melvin teared up and wrapped him in a bear hug.

Czarniak explained that Sybil wrote down some things about her father she thought the audience might like to know.

Other members of his family, including parents, Lawrence and Betty Jo, as well as his brother Ryan, were also there to support Melvin on his big day.

Todayairs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.

For more on Craig Melvin, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.

source: people.com