Al Roker Tells Son Nick 'You Make Me Proud' In Emotional Birthday Tribute

If we are calling out the sweetest dads, we would probably not go far before we find Al Roker! 

The "Today" weatherman trails down memory lane to ring in the celebration as his last born and only son turns 21 on July 18. The doting father reasserted his love for the birthday boy with a heartwarming social media birthday shoutout. He also reminisced on how the years have gone by with his son.

The "TODAY" show co-host posted on Instagram a montage video of his son to the tune of "Oh How the Years Go By" by Vanessa Williams to celebrate the special day. The post featured pics of the college student from throughout the years.

The solo shots and group images with family included the celebrant as a baby and toddler up to an adult. In the text that followed, the proud dad conveyed not being able to fathom how the years went by so fast. In the weatherman's words:

"Wow. #andjustlikethat 21 years ago, this young man changed our lives. Nick Roker, I love you, and you make me so proud. #happybirthday Nick."

A few of the 68-year-old's co-workers and online admirers commented on the post. His co-host Savannah Guthrie wrote, "An incredible young man — and he learned from the best," while NBC News' Stephanie Ruhle stated, "The best man in the neighborhood!"

A third commentator added, "Happy Birthday, Nick! We have watched you [grow] and watched your parents be super proud of you every single day of your 21 years! Go forward and be great! YOU got this." Someone else shared that Nick was a "Shining Star ?," [followed by clap and red heart emojis].

Roker wasn't done commemorating his son as he shared two images of the family at the Polo Bar restaurant in New York. The whole clan looked dapper and ready to enjoy the night away. 

The television personality revealed in the caption that it was Nick's idea to celebrate his big day at the famous restaurant. He penned, "When we asked the #birthdayboy where he wanted to go for his #21st #birthday, he didn't hesitate: @thepolobar and the host with the most, @nellcan."

Likewise, the upload was flooded with numerous likes and congratulatory remarks.

Roker has three children — daughters Courtney, 35, Leila, 24, and son Nick, 21. He and his ex-wife Alice Bell adopted daughter Courtney Melissa Roker as an infant in 1987 while he bore his other kids with his wife, Deborah Roberts.

Courtney was born in May 1987, and she currently earns a living as a test kitchen manager and recipe developer for kitchen appliance brands Chefman and CHEF iQ. The 35-year-old is married to Wesley Laga — the duo tied the knot on June 4, 2021, and in March 2023, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.

Months later, Courtney and her beau welcomed a baby girl on July 3. The actor's second child and first with Roberts, Leila Ruth Roker, was born on Nov. 17, 1998. After graduating high school, the 24-year-old continued her education at the American University of Paris, studying journalism and fine arts before graduating in May 2021.

Later that year, she traveled to Japan to work as a production runner for Peacock at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Per reports, she has also interned at several fashion houses, including L'Oréal and Lela Rose, and contributed to magazines like Forbes and WWD.

As for the 21-year-old birthday boy, he was born on July 18, 2002, and the weather anchor shared that Nick is "somewhere on the spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive." He is a college freshman and boasts a black belt in Taekwondo. He acquired two gold medals at only 16. The young man is also active in his local church, St. James.

As his first daughter Courtney became a mom for the first time earlier this month, the "Superman: The Animated Series" actor has also taken up the role of a first-time grandfather.

He shared heartwarming photos of his newborn granddaughter to embrace his anticipated role. Alongside the image, the TV star voiced his pleasure and applauded the profound value of the newborn's birth for the entire family in the caption. With excitement, he penned: 

"And then this little girl came into my life. Welcome to the world, Sky Clara Laga. In love all over again. Thank you, Courtney and Wes, for such a perfect blessing. [Your] baby is beautiful. Already planning the ways to spoil her and then hand her back."

And as usual, his colleagues and fans flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages.