During the funeral of George H.W. Bush, an unexpected moment caught attention as George W. Bush greeted several former presidents and their spouses. He offered Michelle Obama more than a simple handshake—he handed her a piece of candy, prompting a wide smile from the former first lady. This lighthearted interaction at a somber event highlighted the unique bond between the 43rd president and Obama.

This gesture was not the first of its kind. At John McCain’s funeral in September, Bush discreetly passed a cough drop to Obama. In an interview with ‘Today’ in October, Obama described these shared interactions. She mentioned their consistent seating arrangement due to protocol, noting, ‘He’s my partner in crime at every major thing where all the ‘formers’ gather. So we’re together all the time.’

At the state funeral in Washington, Bush and his wife Laura greeted numerous dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter, and Rosalynn Carter.

Since Barack Obama’s presidency, Bush and Michelle Obama’s friendship has symbolized bipartisan goodwill. They shared a famous hug at the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s dedication ceremony in 2016. Bush told People Magazine in 2017 that their friendship blossomed due to their shared humor. ‘She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like,’ Bush admitted. He noted that the Obamas are often surrounded by serious individuals, which helped strengthen their bond.

In a 2017 conversation with Ellen DeGeneres, Bush acknowledged the surprise their friendship often evokes, pointing out that ‘people on opposite sides of the political spectrum can actually like each other.’