Melania Trump channeled her inner Cupid on Friday, donning a red faux leather jacket to exchange Valentine’s Day cards and decorate cookies with sick children at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health.
For the third year in a row, the 49-year-old first lady spent February 14 at the residential center in Bethesda, Maryland, where she joined in various arts and crafts projects with the young patients.
Melania, who always wears red or pink for her Valentine’s Day visits, was feeling the holiday spirit in her $690 coat by Les Rêveries, which featured matching red buttons and a wrap belt that cinched her waist.
Feeling the love: Melania Trump visited young patients at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, on Friday for Valentine’s Day
Lady in red: The first lady looked festive in a $690 faux leather belted-trench by Les Rêveries
And here’s one for you! Melania exchanged Valentine’s Day cards with the children
The former model paired her faux leather coat with black pumps. She kept her jewelry simple, wearing her wedding band on her left hand and another platinum and diamond ring on the other.
Her highlighted brown hair was styled loosely around her shoulders, and she stuck with her signature makeup: dark, smokey eyeshadow and a pink lip.
Melania had a bright smile on her face when she entered the Children’s Inn and shook hands with the center’s CEO Jennie Lucca, board vice chair Susan Penfield, and NIH Director Francis Collins.
The first lady got a special greeting from an 11-year-old girl named Lucy who stood near the door, waiting to shake her hand when she walked in.
Special moment: Melania was greeted by a little girl named Lucy (right) when she walked into the center, and they stopped to see a young child in a hospital crib
First up: Melania’s first stop was the cookie-decorating station. She sat between Lucy and another little girl named Princess (pictured)
Chatting away: The first lady asked the kids questions while decorating a heart-shaped cookie
‘Tis the season: Melania used pink icing to decorate her cookie
Holiday spirit: Melania had a bright smile on her face as she waved to staffers and families at the center
Lucy has Job’s syndrome, a rare immunodeficiency disorder that makes her susceptible to potentially life-threatening infections.
Melania listened intently while chatting with Lucy before she stopped to see a young child in a hospital crib.
She then went to visit the craft tables, starting with a cookie-decorating station. She sat between Lucy and another little girl named Princess.
A young boy was also at their table, and she happily chatted with all of the children as they squeeze pink icing onto their heart-shaped cookies.
Stylish: Melania’s trench was buttoned to the collar and was tied at the waist with a wrap belt
Old friends: The first lady gave a big hug to a little boy named Amani, who presented her with a gift when she visited the center last Valentine’s Day
Memories: Her visit marks the third year in a row that she has spent February 14 at the Children’s Inn
Kind gesture: Towards the end of her visit, Melania gave each of the children a red envelope containing a Valentine’s Day card
Loving it: Melania has taken great joy in working with children since became the first lady
Each table at the center was topped with a pink tablecloth and different craft supplies for the children to make various valentines with.
As she moved from table to table, she made sure to take time to speak to all the children she met.
She gave a big hug to a little boy named Amani, who presented her with a gift when she visited last Valentine’s Day.
Melania gushed about how sharp he looked, telling him: ‘I love your tie.’
At Amani’s station, she and the children glued squares of tissue paper around a heart-shaped cutout to make a Valentine’s Day wreath.
Signature style: Melania wore her highlighted brown hair in loose waves around her shoulders
If it ain’t broke… She stuck with her signature makeup: dark, smokey eyeshadow and a pink lip
Bling ring: Melania kept her jewelry simple, wearing her wedding band on her left hand and another platinum and diamond ring on the other
Stations: Each table at the center was topped with a pink tablecloth and different craft supplies for the children to make various valentines with
All dressed up: Many of the children wore pink and red in honor of Valentine’s Day
Making cards: Melania took great care while choosing a colored pencil to use
While the first lady was talking to Amani, two little girls — Amana and Thais — presented her with a bouquet of white roses and a framed picture.
‘Thank you very much. This is very special,’ she said after giving the girls a hug. ‘This is going to go on the wall in my office.’
Melania, who has taken great joy in working with children since became the first lady, then went on to grab a white wicker basket filled with red envelopes
She walked around and gave a card to each of the children, and they handed her valentines in return.
All smiles: Melania was beaming while talking to a little girl named Thais
Heartwarming: Thais presented her with a large bouquet of white roses
Aww: Melania gave the little girl a big hug to thank her for the gift
Happy: Melania held her flowers in her arms while looking at something with Thais
Another present: Melania was also given a framed picture that she said she was going to hang in her office
The first lady spent nearly an hour with the children, and before she left, she thanked the staffers and families at the center for having her.
‘Happy Valentine’s,’ she told the kids. ‘Stay strong, Okay? We’ll think of you and pray for you. You will be in my thoughts. Get well soon.’
The day before the visit, Melania tweeted her excitement, writing: ‘Looking forward to spending #ValentinesDay with the inspirational children of @TheChildrensInn at @NIH.’
‘We are so honored that the First Lady has chosen to spend Valentine’s Day with the children and families of The Children’s Inn once again this year,’ Lucca said.
‘We’ve come to look forward to her visit every year. Mrs. Trump brings a delightful experience for our families and awareness to the much-needed medical research happening here at the NIH.’