Hoda Kotb Says She Envisions Romance in Her Future: 'When I Close My Eyes, I See It' (Exclusive)

"I picture that — a great love down the road," Kotb tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story

<p>Brian Doben </p> Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

Brian Doben

Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

Hoda Kotb is focused on her future.

The longtime Today show co-anchor announced her exit from the show after 17 years on Sept. 26, and she sat down with PEOPLE in this week's cover story to discuss her decision — and what's next.

“I've kind of been contemplating, wondering, thinking about what I wanted this next chunk of my life to look like as I turned 60. And I like adventure, I like new beginnings. I'm a sunrise person and not a sunset person, and I was wondering, what does it look like for me?”

In addition to spending more time with her two daughters, Hope, 5, and Haley, 8, she says she can envision being with someone.

"I think, when I look in my crystal ball or at my tea leaves way down the road, I do see that," she says of dating.

Related: Hoda Kotb Opens Up About Leaving Today to Be with Her Kids: 'Something's Gotta Give' (Exclusive)

"It's funny because I feel like I'm becoming more of me, and also, again, back to the time pie, that part of my life got such a tiny sliver."

Now, as her time pie as she refers to it, expands with her upcoming departure from Today in early 2025, Kotb says, "I picture that — a great love down the road. And I see it."

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandoben/?hl=en" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1">Brian Doben</a></p> Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

Brian Doben

Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

She admits she has to get her "sea legs" first, referring to the transition that'll come after she officially leaves her co-anchor spot with Savannah Guthrie, but she knows it's out there for her.

"It's not like, 'Boy, I wish. I hope.' No. I see it. I don't know how it will and when it will come, but when I close my eyes, you know they say, 'What can you see on the other side when you're jumping?' And I can see it."

As to whether dating is on her agenda right now though, she admits, "It's not at this particular moment."

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandoben/?hl=en" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1">Brian Doben</a></p> Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

Brian Doben

Hoda Kotb photographed for PEOPLE Magazine

Kotb had told PEOPLE in July that juggling dating with being a mom and her busy career could be overwhelming, but she shared a piece of advice from a friend that had changed her mindset on relationships.

"A friend asked me, 'What do you have room for?' Which is a very important question to ask yourself when you're looking for whatever it is. She goes, 'Truthfully, if you could have anything, what would you have space for?' And I said, 'I have space for a Thursday night date.' She says, 'Then that's what you should look for.' In other words, don't seek out."

Once her friend told her that, she said things were "clearer to me."

"I'm like, 'Oh, so that's what I want. That's what I want. I want a Thursday night date.' So I do that," Kotb said.

The news anchor was last linked to ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. They split in 2022 after eight years together.

Related: Hoda Kotb Shares Her Pre-Date Pump-Up Song and How She Stays True to Herself (Hint: 'Not Get a Salad') (Exclusive)

<p>Hoda Kotb/Instagram</p> Hoda Kotb with daughters Hope and Haley

Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Hoda Kotb with daughters Hope and Haley

Now, she often has her Today show guests making moves on her behalf. On Oct. 9, Ali Wong told Kotb she knew the perfect man to set her up with: Eric André.

"Eric André is like obsessed with you," Wong, 42, told her, before listing some of the comedian's attributes. "Look, he's a colorful dresser. He's the host of his own show."

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Wong also made a point to share a photo of André dressed up as Kotb for Halloween, which she called his "homage" to her, and said he dressed up as the anchor "because he loves Hoda."

"I asked him, when I was talking about dating, I was like, 'What is your type?' And he responded, 'Hoda Kotb.'"

For more on Hoda Kotb, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here.

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Read the original article on People.