Hoda Kotb, Release Of New Book Unveiled, Dishes On Dating, Cancer Battle, & Kathie Lee’s Favorite Things [Video]

Hoda Kotb will release a new book in January, 2016. Entitled Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made, the non-fiction book will feature inspirational stories about those who must face unanticipated challenges, reported Today.

The release showcases people met by Hoda who succeed in taking those challenges and making them into something special and unique.

But what you probably won’t see in the book is the question that Kodtb’s fans wish she’d answer: Who is she dating?

Hoda just went public with her romance after two years of dating Joel Schiffman secretly. Kotb has been calling him “Boots” on the Today show, and has now released his name and photo, reported Us Weekly.

“Two great years,” tweeted the 50-year-old anchor.

The nickname Boots came from previous photos, which revealed only his boots.

The 56-year-old Schiffman lights up Hoda’s life, she reveals.

“I think we just genuinely like to be together,” said Kotb. “I don’t know how else to put it. It’s pretty simple, really.”

As to why she kept it so secret, Hoda admitted that after two years, they decided to go public with their PDA.

“Here’s the thing, you know when you are keeping something so close to the vest?” said Kotb on her relief from releasing the name of her boyfriend. “It’s been almost two years, so we were like: ‘Why not?’ He’s out from the shadows! He’s the greatest guy ever!”

Hoda particularly appreciates her life after being diagnosed with cancer in 2007, reported Cancer Connect.

The diagnosis came when she was at a routine visit to the gynecologist, who found lumps in her breast. Now, Kotb admits that she had never undergone a mammogram.

“I just didn’t do it,” Hoda confessed. “I wasn’t scared of it. I ask people all the time why they haven’t gotten checked for various things, and here I was not getting screened.”

Kotb’s treatment path was clearly defined.

“I think the good thing was I only really had one choice for treatment (surgery),” she said.

Hoda underwent a mastectomy, TRAM flap reconstruction, and five years of tamoxifen (Nolvadex®).

“The healing from the surgery was hardest,” admitted Kotb.

She expressed thanks for the support that she received from colleagues, friends, and family.

“I get out of surgery, I’m bleary eyed, and the phone rings in the room and it’s Matt [Lauer]. They told me I had a visitor, and Al [Roker’s] in the room. Ann [Curry’s] on the phone. My room was full of flowers. My brother, my sister, my mom, my friends were there all the time. You know, I had people in my life who could just make me crack up when I felt like dying; they just picked me up.”

By turning to social media, Hoda and Kathie Lee are dedicated to keeping up with the growing group of loyal fans that both ladies have developed. Their Facebook page reveals their latest favorite things and thoughts.

And among those favorite things are the Bachelor franchise series.

“Hoda is a big fan of Ben’s and is hoping the rumors about him being the new ‘Bachelor’ are true,” they posted on July 15.

Mom of two, Kathie Lee is fond of dishing out parenting tips.

“Do you need some help with potty training? Here are some great tips for parents!” she offered.

And as for Hoda’s hopes, as the Inquisitr reported, Ben Higgins, after being booted from the Bachelorette, reportedly is lined up to be the next Bachelor dreamy hero.

[Photo by Michael Buckner / Getty Images]