With Father's Day on the horizon, I asked Matt Lauer about his plans for the day and about his own father:
Q: What are your plans for this Father's Day, and what would your ideal Father's Day entail?
Matt Lauer: I have no plans at all, other than to spend as much time as possible with my children. I have been getting hints of some surprise plan (my kids are terrible at keeping secrets) of some sort. So it's a day to go with the flow.
Q: What is your favorite Father's Day activity? Favorite meal?
ML: In the summer, we basically live outdoors. So my idea of an ideal Father's Day meal would be to have lunch outside with the kids. Something all-American and right for the season -- hamburgers, corn on the cob and watermelon. But I'll settle for a tuna salad sandwich as long as it's with the whole family.
Q: What is your fondest Father's Day moment that you can remember with your kids?
ML: Last Father's Day, I took my oldest son, Jack, to play a few holes of golf. We spent the whole time talking about my dad (whom he never met), and I was blown away by how many questions he had, and how intelligent the questions were. It was a day of huge mixed emotions because I wish my father could have had the chance to be a grandfather to my kids.
Q: When you think about your dad and his impact on the father you've become, what comes to mind?
ML: My father was always there for his children. He was one of the most reliable people I've ever met. We never had to worry if he would back us up or be there when we stumbled (physically and in life). If there is one thing I want my children to be able to say, it's that I was there for them as well.