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‘LOVE YOU’

Today host Craig Melvin shares sweet birthday post for brother Ryan just days after his tragic cancer death

TODAY co-host Craig Melvin celebrated his younger brother Ryan’s birthday on Tuesday with a sweet post, just days after they lost their oldest brother Lawrence.

The 41-year-old broadcast journalist’s after a long battle with colon cancer.

Craig Melvin celebrated his younger brother Ryan's birthday on Tuesday
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Craig Melvin celebrated his younger brother Ryan's birthday on TuesdayCredit: Instagram

To celebrate Ryan on his big day, Craig shared a fun photo of the duo sitting in the audience section at an event, making funny faces for the camera.

The TV personality wrote along with it: “Happy 35th to my younger brother, Ryan. Crazy. Cool. And now in his late 30s. Love you, Young Melvin!”

Fellow Today star Al Roker commented on the post: “Happy Birthday, Ryan.”

On Sunday, Craig shared the sad news with his fans that his older brother Lawrence passed away at the age of 43.

On Sunday, the Today co-host revealed he and Ryan had lost their older brother Lawrence
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On Sunday, the Today co-host revealed he and Ryan had lost their older brother LawrenceCredit: Instagram
Lawrence died after a long battle with colon cancer
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Lawrence died after a long battle with colon cancerCredit: Instagram

He mourned the loss of his sibling with a touching tribute, remembering him as “one of the best human beings.”

Alongside a smiling snapshot of the three brothers, Craig wrote: “We lost our older brother this week. Lawrence Meadows was a husband (to Angela, his childhood sweetheart), father (to Addie, 11 and Lawson, 7).”

The MSNBC anchor added that Lawrence was a “Baptist minister, entrepreneur, and one of the best human beings you would’ve ever known.” 

Craig first revealed his late brother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017
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Craig first revealed his late brother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017Credit: Getty - Contributor
After sharing the news of Lawrence's death, the Today star's coworkers gave their condolences
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After sharing the news of Lawrence's death, the Today star's coworkers gave their condolencesCredit: 2017 NBCUniversal Media, LLC.

He continued: “Colon cancer robbed him and us of so much. He was diagnosed at 39. He died Wednesday at 43. 

“He spent a fair amount of time over the past few years raising awareness about the disease. We’ll be keeping up that fight. We love you, bro.”

Craig first revealed his brother’s stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis on the Today show in 2017.

He recalled how the phone call “nearly knocked [him] off [his] feet.”

Craig Melvin pays tribute to his late brother Lawrence on NBC’s TODAY

Today co-host, Hoda Kotb, sent love to Craig during this difficult time.

She wrote in the comment section of his post on Sunday: “Love you Craig... lets all keep up the fight ❤️”

After seeing all of the love he was being sent, Craig thanked everyone on Wednesday, writing: "To my colleagues, friends and viewers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your heartfelt condolences, prayers, and donations in memory of my brother Lawrence. 💙"

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