Has there ever been a dad more excited to have a little girl? Jay and Ellie, 1995.
On our way to a state dinner, July 1995. I was seated at President Clinton’s table. He told me he liked my hair, which I wore slicked back for some reason. （Globe Photos / ZUMAPRESS.com）
Jay during a Civil War reenactment—one of his many passions, and something our daughters have struggled to understand.
Pure bliss: Snuggling with Ellie and Carrie while Jay played Brahms on the Steinway we’d bought for each other, January 1996.
My dad and I both received honorary degrees from his alma mater, Mercer University, when I gave the 1996 commencement address. （Mercer University）
Meeting Princess Diana at a luncheon in Chicago, 1996. Marlo Thomas, me, and Anna Quindlen, practically genuflecting.
Fifteen months after I met the princess, I’d be in London to cover her funeral. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jay. （NBC）
Jay wanted the girls to love horses as much as he did. A few months before he died, he said, “I’m going to buy Ellie a pony in the spring.”
Pumpkin picking in Millbrook, 1997. Jay was so sick—whenever I look at this photo, I wonder what he was thinking.
Jay and Carrie. At his funeral, I saw Rosie O’Donnell crying as she passed this framed photo to the next pew.
Getting a tour of the Reagan Library. With her beloved Ronnie slipping away from Alzheimer’s disease, Nancy and I quickly connected. She signed the photo, “I think my expression says it all.” （Reagan Library）
Our “manny,” my nephew Jeff, brought much-needed joy to our home after Jay died.
Talk about making an entrance: On Halloween 1999, I flew across the plaza as Peter Pan （and accidentally kicked some poor man in the head）。
This is TODAY on NBC, with Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, and Ellie Monahan.
In the aftermath of Columbine, I interviewed Craig Scott, who lost his sister in the massacre, and Michael Schoels, who lost his son. Some of the rawest grief I’ve ever witnessed. （NBC）
My on-air colonoscopy, courtesy of Dr. Ken Forde, prompted a 20 percent increase in colonoscopies. Researchers called it the Couric Effect. （NBC）
My mentor, the legendary Tim Russert, telling the nation what the 2000 presidential race would come down to. That whiteboard now lives in the Smithsonian. （NBC）
Visiting Emily for her 54th birthday in 2001, four months before she died of pancreatic cancer. She always thought she was going to get better.
At “the pile,” two days after 9/11. I felt such a profound sense of responsibility covering that catastrophic event. （NBC）
Wendy introducing me at my induction into the Television Hall of Fame. We’ve been friends for—gulp—40-plus years. （Television Academy Hall of Fame）
NBC relentlessly promoted the idea that the TODAY show was one big happy family, as if we spent every waking hour together. （NBC）
At the Olympics in Athens, 2004. Matt and I had a great relationship, but there was a lot about him I didn’t know.
R&B royalty Mary J. Blige and Chaka Khan lit up one of our star-studded colon cancer fundraisers. （KMazur/WireImage via Getty Images）
My last day at TODAY, May 2006. They threw one heck of a going-away party. Tony Bennett sang “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Oops. （G. Gershoff/WireImage via Getty Images）
When CBS put me on the Photoshop diet, the New York Post noticed and published the pictures side by side. （New York Post）
Making history—and apparently a bad fashion choice—as the first solo female anchor of an evening newscast. （CBS）
My assistant Lauren and me leading a conga line at the after-party following my debut. CBS veterans didn’t join in.
Good times: Feeling （and looking） dwarfed by the giants of 60 Minutes. （John P. Filo, CBS）
At a White House briefing during the Bush administration. One of these things is not like the others. （Official White House Photo）
Birthday at Tiffany’s: Lori Beth, Carrie, me, and Ellie celebrating my 50th, 2007. （Mia McDonald）
Seven months after my CBS debut, Rick Kaplan swooped in and gave me back my confidence. （John P. Filo, CBS）
Trying to keep my cool in a bulletproof vest and triple-digit heat while touring Fallujah with General David Petraeus. （CBS）
Part of my CBS posse—Bob, Nicolla, Matt, Lauren （and Alexa Hirschfeld, who went on to found Paperless Post）。
With Jeff Greenfield and Bob Schieffer, covering the DNC in Denver, 2008. Enthusiasm for Barack Obama was off the charts. （John P. Filo, CBS）
On the campaign plane with Sarah Palin, when she was flying high—before I asked her which newspapers and magazines she read. （CBS）