At just five years old, Faith Hinkle was reluctant to let Melania Trump depart. The First Lady had guided Hinkle to a cozy red chair, allowing her to listen as Melania read “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” to an audience at Children’s National Hospital on Friday morning. This visit continues the long-standing tradition of First Ladies visiting the Washington, D.C. hospital, a custom Melania upheld throughout her husband’s initial term in office. Introducing Melania was 24-year-old Caoilinn McLane, a former patient turned friend, whom she met during a hospital visit in 2017.

After finishing the story, Melania ensured that Hinkle, who is currently receiving treatment at the hospital, had the chance to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who were present nearby. The First Lady then interacted with other young patients, but before leaving, she gave Hinkle a heartfelt hug. Hinkle, visibly saddened by her departure, requested another embrace. Melania also shared a warm moment with 11-year-old Riley Whitney, who had accompanied her onstage, before making her exit.

During her visit, Melania distributed gifts, including ‘Be Best’ ornaments, to the patients and received a special gold coin from Santa, inscribed with ‘believe’ and ‘Merry Christmas.’ This cherished tradition began with Bess Truman, the first First Lady to visit the hospital during the holiday season. Since then, every First Lady has continued this meaningful practice. Earlier in the year, Melania made an unannounced visit to Children’s National to celebrate the Fourth of July, further cementing her connection with the hospital.

In past years, Melania engaged in some Q&A. During her 2017 visit , her first as first lady, a 10-year-old named Andy asked Melania where she would spend the holidays if she could go ‘anywhere in the world.’ ‘I would spend my holidays on a deserted island, a tropical island, with my family,’ Melania admitted. The candid answer raised eyebrows after Melania delayed her move to Washington so son Barron could finish his school year in New York.

During her husband’s second term, Melania has split her time between Mar-a-Lago, Trump Tower, Bedminster and the White House. With Barron now in college in D.C., the first lady has been spending more time in Washington, making a smattering of recent appearances. The president divulged on Tuesday that his wife hasn’t been happy with the noise associated with the White House ballroom construction.

‘I wouldn’t say my wife is thrilled. She hears pile drivers in the background, all day, all night,’ Trump said during his lengthy end-of-year Cabinet meeting. He said that Melania asked him, ‘Darling, could you turn off the pile drivers?’ ‘Sorry, darling, that’s progress,’ he said he replied.

The president admitted last month that his wife was wary of his decision to tear down the East Wing, which has historically housed the offices of the first lady. ‘She loved her little tiny office, but you know what? In about, she’s very smart, in about one day, she’s thinking, if you ask her now, she thinks it’s great,’ the president said during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham.