Yahoo Lifestyle “Today'”s Craig Melvin Shares the Sweet Thing He Does Every Morning for Kids Delano and Sybil (Exclusive)
The NBC anchor opens up about how he balances work and family in PEOPLE's cover story
Today's new co-anchor Craig Melvin may 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."
Melvin shares son Delano, 10, and daughter Sybil, 8, with his wife of 13 years Lindsay Czarniak. His schedule is about to get even busier has he takes over Hoda Kotb's seat as the co-anchor of the Today show, but he always packs in as much family time as possible.
Sundays include two church services followed by family dinner in a restaurant-style booth at their home in Westport, Conn.
"I focus on quality, not necessarily quantity,” Melvin says. “I know it sounds small, but unless I’m traveling, we always have dinner together.”
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. Jugging 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."
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Related: Craig Melvin's Cutest Photos with His Kids Delano and Sybil
"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 Melvin on 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.
NBC
Craig Melvin's family surprises him on first day as Today's co-anchorDelano 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.
"My dad loves to play with me. He loves tickle fights and he watches TV shows with me," she read.
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.
Today airs 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 subscribe here.
Read the original article on People
