News Kathie Lee Gifford Reflects on Finding Unexpected Meaning in her Children's Pandemic Weddings In these difficult times, Gifford has found so much to be thankful for. By Meghan Overdeep Meghan Overdeep Meghan Overdeep has more than a decade of writing and editing experience for top publications. Her expertise extends from weddings and animals to every pop culture moment in between. She has been scouring the Internet for the buzziest Southern news since joining the team in 2017. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on October 1, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: NBC/Getty Images Kathie Lee Gifford is still basking in the glow of her children's weddings. The former Today show host celebrated the nuptials of both her children over the summer: her daughter Cassidy, 27, wed fiancé Ben Wierda in June, while her son Cody, 30, married his longtime love, Erika Brown, over Labor Day weekend. In a candid interview with her friend and former coworker, Jenna Bush Hager, on Today, Gifford revealed how the coronavirus pandemic impacted both nuptials, and how, even in these difficult times, she has so much to be thankful for. "They were not what either of them were planning, obviously. They were both planning on big weddings, big, sort of traditional weddings," Gifford told Hager. "COVID, of course, changed everything and everybody's lives in so many different ways." "But it ended up being a tremendous blessing," she continued. "These things always do if you let them." The television icon, who lost her husband Frank in 2015, also shared that she started praying for the people her kids would end up with the moment they were born—an effort that seems to have paid off. WATCH: Kathie Lee Gifford References the Bible in Moving Message of Gratitude Following Son's Wedding Gifford, who is busy promoting her upcoming movie, Then Came You, elaborated on the simple beauty of her son and daughter's pared-down affairs in an interview with USA Today. "I think they were even better than what the kids had planned because it got down to the essence of 'why are you getting married?'" "I didn't even know what I was going to wear two days before either wedding. My daughter Cassidy got married in a dress—it probably cost 50 bucks—barefoot. She did everything barefoot and didn't even get a pedicure!" she continued. "But here's the most important thing: They married the person that swept their heart away." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit