Craig Melvin Marks Major Family Milestone as Son Delano Towers Beside Him in New Back-to-School Photos

Craig Melvin is marking the end of summer with a proud family moment — and one detail in his latest photos quickly stands out.

The Today co-anchor shared a series of back-to-school pictures featuring his two children, Delano and Sybil, as they began another school year. While the post celebrated both kids, 12-year-old Delano’s noticeable growth made the father-son photo particularly striking.

Melvin posted the images on August 26 as his family transitioned from a summer filled with vacations and family activities back into the school routine.

Delano and Sybil head back to school

In the first photo, Delano and his younger sister Sybil posed outside their school to commemorate the milestone.

Sybil, 9, was beginning fourth grade, while Delano was heading into seventh grade. The siblings held signs marking their respective first days as they smiled for the camera.

Another photo captured Melvin walking alongside Delano on their way to school. The 12-year-old appeared remarkably tall next to his father, offering a reminder of just how quickly the Today host’s eldest child is growing up.

Melvin finished the collection with a family selfie and shared his pride in both children, writing that he was excited to see everything they would accomplish during the new school year.

The milestone comes after a busy summer for the family. Earlier this week, Melvin shared another collection of memories and declared the season officially over as the family prepared for school to begin. Recent posts also showed Melvin and wife Lindsay Czarniak supporting Sybil during her performance in The Little Mermaid at theater camp.

Growing up in a family of broadcasters

Delano and Sybil are the two children Melvin shares with sports journalist Lindsay Czarniak.

Melvin and Czarniak first met while working at NBC’s Washington, D.C., station in 2008. Their friendship eventually developed into a relationship, and they married in Washington in October 2011. Delano arrived in March 2014, followed by Sybil in November 2016.

Both children have grown up with parents whose careers revolve around television and journalism, and Delano has already experienced the broadcasting world himself.

He has appeared on NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition and participated in interviews alongside his father, including conversations involving professional athletes. Sybil, meanwhile, has developed interests in performing, gymnastics and dance.

Despite their parents’ high-profile careers, Melvin has repeatedly made family a central part of the life he shares publicly.

Fatherhood changed Craig Melvin

Melvin has spoken openly about how becoming a father transformed him emotionally.

That experience became part of the inspiration for his 2024 children’s book, I’m Proud of You, which focuses on the relationship between parents and their children.

Speaking to Garden & Gun, Melvin described the book as a “love letter to fatherhood” and explained that having Delano and Sybil helped him discover emotions he hadn’t realized he was capable of feeling.

His own upbringing also influenced the kind of father he wanted to become. Melvin has discussed how his relationship with his father shaped his approach to parenting and why he makes a conscious effort to tell his children not only that he loves them, but that he is proud of the people they are becoming.

That connection has remained important even as his television responsibilities have increased. Melvin has acknowledged that the demanding schedule of morning television requires sacrifices, particularly when it comes to time with his family.

His early mornings mean he often leaves home before Delano and Sybil wake up. He has developed small routines to remain connected with them despite those hours, including sending messages reminding his children that he loves them and is proud of them.

A major chapter for the Today host

Melvin’s family milestone arrives during one of the biggest periods of his television career.

After years with NBC News and Today, he moved into an expanded role in January 2025, succeeding Hoda Kotb as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie during the show’s first two hours.

His family was there for the milestone. Czarniak, Delano and Sybil joined other relatives for his first broadcast in the new role, underscoring just how closely Melvin’s professional achievements and family life have become intertwined.

Now, more than a year later, it was Melvin’s turn to celebrate a milestone belonging to his children.

With Sybil beginning fourth grade and Delano entering seventh, the latest pictures captured a simple family moment — but seeing his 12-year-old son suddenly standing so tall beside him made it clear just how much has changed.

For a father who has repeatedly called parenting his most meaningful role, the back-to-school photographs offered another snapshot of two children growing up quickly — and a proud dad determined not to miss it.