Hoda Kotb just celebrated her 56th birthday on August 9, 2020. Receiving an attack of festive wishes in person and on social media, the Today Show star received a special greeting from music symbol Dolly Parton.
‘9 to 5’ star gives marriage advice to Hoda Kotb
Appears on Today in April, Parton shared some words of wisdom with Kotb about maintaining a happy marriage during quarantine.
“I would say that if you were sitting in the house with him, you might want to be in separate rooms,” Parton jokingly told the NBC anchor, according to Today. ‘The reason it worked for me is because I stayed away. I can not leave now. I’m stuck there now. I might find out who he is. We may make it only until the next anniversary. ”
Parton is currently approaching her 54th wedding anniversary to husband Carl Dean. With Kotb engaged to longtime friend Joel Schiffman and in the midst of wedding plans, the Steel Magnolias star noted the importance of humor in a marriage.
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“We’re both very crazy people, and we have a completely different sense of humor, but we just laugh all the time absolutely, and that’s true through the years,” Parton said of her relationship with Dean. ‘I think there is a lot to be said about good friends, but a good sense of humor, as I myself have joked about some of these things even in these times. … laughter is truly the best medicine, and it is also true with relationships. ‘”
Dolly Parton enters the greeting e-card biz
In May 2020, Parton announced its partnership with American Greetings. The collaboration places Parton center stage in presenting custom made e-cards for birthday wishes.
“I collaborated with @amgreetings to create SmashUp cards for ‘Birthday Time’!” the country singer revealed on Instagram. “Share a personalized birthday card with your loved ones.”
“Cards are still a great way to connect because they’re more personal,” Parton said in a statement from American Greetings in July 2020. “It touches your heart, and hopefully my cards will always touch your heart.”
In addition, the greeting card company launched the Dolly Parton Greeting Card Collection exclusively at Walmart. The range offers 20 cards created to punish the legendary singer’s traditional warmth and warm spirit. It comes as no surprise that the Parton partnership is a hit.
“As expected, since its launch in May, the Dolly Parton SmashUp has been the most widely sent e-card on both sites where it is offered,” said Rob Matousek, Executive Director / GM – Direct to Consumer Business at American Greetings, in the statement. “We expect a similar response to the fantastic Dolly Parton greeting cards currently available at Walmart.”
Hoda Kotb gets a Twitter surprise
Apparently, Kotb became a primary recipient of Parton’s new online birthday serenade. Complete with backup singers and “Hoda” in neon lights, Parton sang a birthday song set to the tune of her classic “9 to 5.” The music icon called the Today star saying, “This is you Hoda, this is for you.”
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Kotb’s reaction? She made no effort to hide her excitement. “Omg omg omg,” the NBC journalist tweeted back. thank you @DollyParton. ”
While Kotb certainly has an abundance of birthday wishes, it’s a safe bet that Parton’s song is one of her faves.
