Bush 43 talks with daughter Jenna on Friday's 'Today' Show, unveils portraits of world leaders

On NBC's "Today Show" Friday, NBC correspondent Jenna Bush Hager will talk with her mom and dad, former First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush, as her dad unveils 24 portraits of world leaders that will make up his first-ever art exhibit.  "The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy," will be on display at the Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

The former president, who has turned into quite a talented painter since leaving the White House, said he hopes it is realized he painted the portraits in "the spirit of friendship and that I admire them as leaders and was willing to give it a shot in terms of getting people to see how I felt about them."

His 2013 cardinal Christmas decoration hung on our tree this past holiday season. The former president has completed self-portraits, landscapes, pictures of animals, and even a portrait of Jay Leno that he presented to the comedian when he left "The Tonight Show."

Thirty-two-year-old Jenna has been with the "Today Show" since 2009, recently as part of the 2014 Winter Olympic coverage in Sochi, Russia, and afterward as a fill-in for Kathy Lee on NBC's "Kathie Lee and Hoda." She is married to Henry Hager, son of Virginia former Lieutenant Governor John Hager and his wife, Maggie. Jenna and Henry has one daughter, Mila, who will be a year old on April 13.

Valentine's Day: Henry Hager surprises wife Jenna who is working with Today Show in Russia for Winter Olympics

Imagine being on assignment halfway around the world on the most romantic day of the year. Now imagine an on-air Valentine's Day surprise that brings tears to a young wife's eyes.

That was what happened this morning on the Today Show, in Sochi, Russia, to cover the Winter Olympics, when Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, and her fellow female hosts were surprised by their significant others in America.

Standing in an NBC studio in the States, each gentleman held a bouquet of red roses and expressed love and appreciation for their wives. Included was Henry Hager, Jenna's husband and son of Virginia's former Lieutenant Governor John and Maggie Hager, whose wife has been in Russia the past week. The surprise brought tears to Jenna's eyes, maybe because not only has she been away from her husband but also her five-month-old daughter Mila.

This will be a Valentine's Day to remember for the young Hager family....

Jenna Bush Hager reveals 5 life lessons learned from her grandparents

Jenna Bush Hager, one of the twin daughters of former President George W. and Laura Bush who is married to Henry Hager, son of Virginia's former Lieutenant Governor John Hager, recently shared five life lessons that were passed along from her grandparents. Those grandparents are former President George H.W.  and Barbara Bush.

Be sure to read Jenna's article for her expanded explanations of the five life lessons passed along from George and Barbara:

1. Don't talk too much about yourself.
2. Have lots of loyal friends -- and be one.
3. Laugh.
4. Love.
5. Write handwritten notes.

Photo - Granddaughter Mila Hager with grandparents President and Mrs. Bush

From former President George W. Bush: “Laura and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our grandchild, Margaret Laura 'Mila' Hager. Mila, daughter of Jenna and Henry Hager, is named for her grandmothers. She was born last night, April 13, at 8:43 p.m. in New York City. We met our beautiful granddaughter today."

What a beautiful family photo. Jenna's husband, Henry, is the son of Virginia's former Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Maggie Hager. First grandbabies ... that has to be a special feeling. Congratulations to all.

It's a girl! Bush and Hager families have new grandbaby

It's a girl! Congratulations to the new parents Jenna and Henry Hager on the new little member of their family.

Congratulations also to grandparents former President George W. and Laura Bush, and former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John and Maggie Hager ... and to great-grandparents former President George H.W. and Barbara Bush.

Former President Bush said in a statement, “Laura and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our grandchild, Margaret Laura 'Mila' Hager. Mila, daughter of Jenna and Henry Hager, is named for her grandmothers. She was born last night, April 13, at 8:43 p.m. in New York City. We met our beautiful granddaughter today."

Laura Bush also released a statement on her Facebook page: "We are thrilled to announce the birth of our grandchild, Margaret Laura “Mila” Hager. Mila, daughter of Jenna and Henry Hager, is named for her grandmothers. She was born last night, April 13th, at 8:43pm in New York City. We met our beautiful granddaughter today. Jenna and Mila are healthy. And our family is elated."

Happy for everyone and for the next generation of the Bush and Hager families.

Jenna and Henry ... and First Father-in-Law John Hager

"Our little girl Jenna married a really good guy."
--President George W. Bush

As Jenna, 26, and Henry Hager, 30, honeymoon in Europe, the world is able to catch a glimpse into their wedding at the ranch in Crawford, Texas, and to catch up with Virginia's own First Father-in-law, John Hager. In photos that have been released we see Chairman Hager with the wedding party and watching the ceremony. He reportedly hit the dance floor early and was out there all night ... and was seen dancing with First Lady Laura Bush throughout the evening.

While many in the country would love to have had a White House wedding, that was not in Jenna's plans. You have to admire her for wanting the simplicity of a wedding more to the liking of herself and her groom. In keeping with that, there was a sunset ceremony by the lake at the ranch followed by dinner and dancing.

Some fun-filled facts from the wedding weekend:

Bridesmaid (house party) luncheon: Salado's Inn on the Creek, Salado, TX

Rehearsal dinner: B&B in Salado hosted by Maggie and John Hager

Number of Wedding Guests: 200

Groom Henry's nickname from George W (who is fond of nicknaming everyone he comes in contact with -- I was once dubbed one of the "Gail Girls" with my two sisters including the one named Gail who worked for him): "Hank"

Wedding music for Jenna and the President while walking down the aisle: "Trumpet Voluntary" played by a San Antonio mariachi band

Wedding readers: Former President George Bush and Former First Lady Barbara Bush

What they read: From the book of Corinthians in the Bible ... "Love is patient, love is kind...."

Newlyweds first dance: "Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes" by Taj Mahal

Father-daughter dance: "You Are So Beautiful"

Band: "Super T"

How long the President lasted at the reception: 1 am

How long the other guests lasted dancing at the reception: 3:30 am

Honeymoon: Europe

Where they will live: Baltimore

The Menu

Fried oysters on toastadas, pork flautas, mango fresco, shrimp Mexicali

Lump Gulf crab parfait, layered with avocado and heirloom tomatoes, with fresh basil olive oil

Grilled Rio Grande ranch flat iron steak with roja sauce with arbo chilis; potatoes with poblano pepper gratine; spinch sauteed with pine nuts

Bride's Cake: Tres leches

Groom's Cake: Chocolate

Late-night snacks: Churros with chocolate, chips with chili conqueso, breakfast burritos

Congratulations to Jenna and Henry. Congratulations to the President and Mrs. Bush ... and congrats to our own Maggie and John Hager.

A toast to all!

Crawford Ranch wedding is Saturday....

Henry Hager, 26, son of RPV Chairman John Hager, will marry Jenna Bush, 26, Saturday

Jenna is marrying a Virginia boy ... and he asked for her hand in marriage the way of a Virginia gentleman. After first confiding in her twin that he wished to propose, Henry Hager asked President and Mrs. Bush for their daughter's hand in marriage. There's something to be said for the gentility of Virginia men.

He popped the question on top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine as the sun rose after the two had hiked for an hour-and-a-half to reach the summit.

The wedding is a private event at the 1,600-acre Crawford Ranch in Texas with family and friends gathering, including John and Maggie Hager. John Hager is the former Lt. Governor of Virginia as well as current chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

According to the Associated Press:

On Monday, the president disclosed that Jenna will say ''I do'' near a lake at the ranch -- in front of a giant cross made of Texas limestone that will serve as an altar. The cross will be a landmark at the ranch for years to come. The president said that was his contribution to the wedding that the Bushes are trying to keep a low-key affair.

We wish our best to Jenna and Henry ... a toast to the bride and groom!

Jenna's engaged ... maybe there will be a White House wedding....

Jenna is engaged! And to a Richmond native, Henry Hager ... the son of our new Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, John Hager. They've been dating for a while now ... and the announcement was made today by the First Lady, Laura Bush.

Henry, 28, who graduated from Wake Forest University, is working on his master's degree at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Jenna, 25, graduated from the University of Texas - Austin in 2004. She has been a teacher in Washington -- following in her mom's footsteps -- and a UNICEF intern in South America. Plans are in the works to write a children's book with her mom.

"Hook 'em Horns!"

Known as the spunkier twin, I was forever endeared to this young lady, who was constantly chased by the media, when she once stuck her tongue out at them during the 2004 campaign.

The President's daughter ... and the Chairman's son. It doesn't get much better than that. Let's hope for a White House wedding....

Barbara and Jenna

Related posts:

-- SWAC-GOP welcomes RPV's John Hager & Shaun Kenney

-- Waynesboro News Virginian covers John Hager's visit to SWAC