"I'll hold it down,” Guthrie told PEOPLE of her co-host's upcoming departure Savannah Guthrie is going to keep things going after Hoda Kotb exits the Today show. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday,

The news anchor said she and her co-host had been speaking about her impending retirement for "years" before the big announcement.

“Here’s my lash,” Guthrie told Kotb, as she handed one over to her live on air. Kotb then gave viewers at home a close-up of the false lash. Guthrie teasingly attempted to pass the lash to Jones, who chimed in, “That is disgusting!” and jumped out of the way, laughing.