In the days leading up to June 4, 2021, Courtney Roker, the eldest daughter of beloved meteorologist Al Roker, faced a heart-wrenching dilemma. Her wedding to Wesley Laga was just hours away, but her father’s ongoing health struggles cast a shadow over the joyous occasion. Al, who had undergone surgery for aggressive prostate cancer in 2020, was still in recovery. Courtney, deeply concerned for her father’s well-being, considered postponing her big day by a year to ensure he was fully healthy. Yet, in a moment that would define their bond, Al offered his daughter—whom he lovingly calls “the first miracle of his life”—a piece of advice that changed everything.
Courtney, then 34, had always shared a close relationship with her father. The thought of celebrating her wedding without Al at his best was unbearable. “I didn’t want to go forward if Dad wasn’t strong enough,” she later shared. Her love for Al, who had been a pillar of strength throughout her life, made her hesitate. The diagnosis of prostate cancer in September 2020 had shaken the Roker family. Al’s surgery and subsequent recovery were fraught with uncertainty, and Courtney feared the emotional and physical toll the wedding might take on him.
But Al, ever the optimist, saw things differently. Sitting down with his daughter, he spoke from the heart. “Courtney, you are my first miracle,” he said, referring to the joy she brought into his life as his firstborn. “Your happiness is my happiness. Don’t wait for me—go forward and embrace your future with Wesley.” His words, filled with love and courage, gave Courtney the strength to move forward. Al assured her he was well enough to walk her down the aisle, and with that, the wedding plans proceeded as intended.
On June 4, 2021, Courtney and Wesley exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony filled with love, laughter, and a few impressive dance moves from the groom. Al, beaming with pride, stood by his daughter’s side, his presence a testament to his resilience and unwavering devotion. The day was, as Courtney described on Instagram, “beyond anything I could ever imagine.” Surrounded by family, including Al’s wife Deborah Roberts and their children Leila and Nicholas, the celebration was a poignant reminder of the ties that bind.
Now, more than four years later, Courtney and Wesley are thriving as a family. Their daughter, Sky Clara Laga, born in 2023, is now two years old and a source of endless joy. Reflecting on that pivotal moment before her wedding, Courtney marvels at her father’s wisdom. “He was right,” she says. “That day wasn’t just about me and Wesley—it was about all of us, our family, coming together.” For Al, seeing his daughter build her own family has been a source of profound gratitude. “Time flies,” he shared in a recent social media post, “but love stays.”
Al’s journey through cancer and recovery has only deepened his appreciation for life’s milestones. His return to the Today show plaza in December 2020, after months away, was a triumphant moment. Running through Rockefeller Center, scarf and hat in tow, he shouted with joy, “It feels so good!” That same spirit carried him through Courtney’s wedding and into his role as a doting grandfather to Sky.
The Roker family’s story is one of resilience, love, and the courage to embrace happiness even in the face of uncertainty. As Courtney and Al look back, they understand that love and worry are two sides of the same coin—both rooted in the unbreakable bond of family.
