The TODAY Show Honoring Viewers Celebrating Milestone Birthdays
On May 26, 2025, the TODAY Show continued its heartwarming tradition of honoring viewers celebrating milestone birthdays. With the help of Smucker’s and the familiar charm of Dylan Dreyer, TODAY paid tribute to several Americans turning 100 years or older — a moment that not only celebrates longevity but also recognizes the rich tapestry of lives filled with history, adventure, and wisdom.
Among those honored this morning were twin siblings Ruby and Riley Adams Burian, who reached their 102nd birthday. Born on May 26, 1923, the twins have spent over a century side by side, sharing laughter, challenges, and countless memories. Their story stood out as one of deep connection and enduring joy.
Raised in a small Ohio town during the Great Depression, Ruby and Riley learned the values of hard work, compassion, and resilience at an early age. During World War II, Ruby served as a nurse in the Army Corps, while Riley worked as a mechanic, helping to maintain military vehicles on the home front. Their contributions to the country were matched by the lives they led afterward — Ruby in public health, advocating for rural healthcare access, and Riley in education, where he inspired generations of students as a science teacher and basketball coach.
In their retirement years, the twins have remained as active and curious as ever. Now living in a quiet New England town just blocks apart, they spend their days enjoying crossword puzzles, taking walks, and sharing memories of the adventures that defined their lives — from spontaneous road trips to dancing at USO halls in the 1940s.
Family and friends describe Ruby and Riley as full of life and wit, often finishing each other’s sentences and delighting those around them with stories from a bygone era. Their secret to a long and happy life? According to Riley, it’s having someone to keep you grounded and make you laugh. Ruby adds that staying mentally and physically active — with a good book and daily walk — is key.
The segment also featured several other centenarians, including 100-year-old Louise Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia, a lifelong gardener who still tends to her flowers every morning, and 101-year-old Carl Mendoza of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a retired jazz saxophonist who continues to play for friends and neighbors. Each of the birthday honorees was recognized with a personalized Smucker’s jar — a beloved TODAY tradition that began with the legendary Willard Scott and lives on as a celebration of America’s most treasured seniors.
Dylan Dreyer, who delivered the birthday wishes on air, remarked on the significance of these stories, saying they remind viewers of the richness of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. “These birthdays are more than numbers,” she noted. “They’re testaments to love, laughter, resilience, and the joy that comes from a life well lived.”
The TODAY Show encourages viewers to celebrate the elders in their own lives — whether by sharing stories, making a phone call, or simply saying thank you. As Ruby and Riley Adams Burian so beautifully exemplify, a long life is made even richer by strong family bonds, a spirit of adventure, and a commitment to enjoying each new day.
Happy birthday to Ruby, Riley, and all the incredible individuals celebrating this week. May their stories continue to inspire generations to come.
