On Friday, April 7, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb celebrated nine years of working together during the fourth hour of the "Today" show. They had some beautiful words to say to each other. Hoda called into the show to express her gratitude. The new mother adopted a baby girl on Valentine's Day, and she has taken time off to be with her little girl Haley Joy.

Telephone call

During Hoda's call, she told her co-worker how much her life has changed since they first met. She added that even though she had told her before, she wanted to say it again on their anniversary that she loves her.

For the last nine years, the two women have worked together. They have laughed, cried, sang, danced and often joke about how much wine they drink.

After hearing what Hoda had to say, Kathie Lee smiled and began to tear up. Then her expressions almost mirrored what her friend had said. Gifford stated that Hoda has also changed her life. She said she had been blessed to work with two extraordinary people. Gifford was referring to Regis Philbin who was a guest co-host on Friday. Before coming to the "Today" show, she co-hosted with him for 15 years on another talk show, "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee. The telephone call ended with Gifford telling Kotb to come back soon.

Special bond

The two women do have a special bond.

Hoda, 52, and Kathie Lee, 63, are not just co-workers. The chemistry between the two is obvious. It is hard to find other pairs hosting together who have a connection like those two. They have shared their personal lives for nine years. When Frank Gifford died in 2015, Hoda was right there to comfort and support Kathie Lee over the death of her husband.

Kathie Lee has also been there for Hoda when she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in March 2007. She also talked her friend through the broken relationships before Hoda settled down with New York financier Joel Schiffman. When Hoda announced the birth of Haley Joy, Kathie Lee said she knew about the secret adoption.

That's what friends do. They keep each other's secrets.

How it all started

NBC made a smart move when it put the two television personalities together. They are the only two on the fourth-hour show, but it hasn't always been that way. Before 2007, the women didn't know each other. By 2008, they were working together and becoming good friends. Originally, the hour was hosted by Kotb and NBC colleagues Natalie Morales and Ann Curry. Then it came down to only two hosts, and as they say, "The rest is history."