Hoda Kotb has announced she will be leaving TODAY early next year, but will remain part of the NBC family.

On September 26, she tearfully told TODAY how she celebrated her 60th birthday in August and how she decided to make a change.

“I realized that at 60, it was time to turn the page and try something new,” she said. “I remember standing outside and looking at this beautiful group of people with these beautiful signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the crest of the wave feels like to me.’ And I thought, it can’t get any better, and I decided this was the right time to move on.”

Hoda’s intention to spend more time with her daughters, Haley (7) and Hope (5), also played a role in her decision.

“Of course, I had my children late in life, and I thought they deserved a bigger share of my time than I have,” she said. “I feel like we only have a limited amount of time.

“And when I say all that, this is the hardest thing there is.”

She said she will remain with TODAY through early next year and will continue in an undisclosed role within the NBC family.

“It’s kind of a big deal to me,” she said through her tears. “I practiced not to cry, but anyway, I did it.”

Hoda has been part of the fabric of NBC News for nearly three decades, having previously worked on “Dateline” and as co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY with Kathie Lee Gifford and then Jenna Bush Hager. She and Savannah Guthrie have been co-anchors of TODAY for more than five years.

“We love you so much,” Savannah told TODAY through tears. “And when you look around and see those tears, it’s love. You are so loved. We can’t imagine this place without you.”

“So it’s complicated because we love you so much, and we don’t ever want you to go,” she continued. “But I also just want to say that I’m so proud of you my friend. You have guts. For someone to leave at the peak of their powers, to leave something that’s amazing that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun, and say, ‘But I’m going to dream bigger for myself in the great unknown.’ You have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you.”

The TODAY family shared emotional messages with Hoda on the show.

“It’s not over,” Jenna Bush Hager said. “I’m going to show up at your house like the stalker that you are to Zac Brown. I’m going to be standing at your door, and we’re going to be your friends forever.”

“Hoda has her own unique relationship with everyone on this couch, so I think we all struggle with it a little bit,” Sheinelle Jones said. “But we also know what a dynamic mom you are, and what a presence you are. And your whole movement with wellness, you’re going to change the world. And we know that.”

One of Hoda’s oldest friends during her time at NBC was weatherman Al Roker.

“I’ve never known anyone like you,” Al said. “I’ve known you my whole life, and I love you.”

Craig Melvin also paid tribute to Hoda’s genuine friendship.

“People in this business, when that little red light goes off, they’re different people,” Craig said. “We’ve worked with all these people before. You’re the opposite. That little red light goes off, you’re exactly what people see you in the morning — just the biggest heart.

“You have been the heart of this show for a long time, and that is irreplaceable.”

She reflected on her relationships with the people behind the camera and the rest of the staff, plus the TODAY fans who gather in Rockefeller Plaza every day to brighten her morning.

Hoda also shared a letter to the TODAY staff on Sept. 26 about her decision to resign. Read it in its entirety below.