When Vladimir Putin met with George W. Bush, the Russian president shared a personal story that our chief executive hasn't forgotten.

When Putin was young, his mother gave him a cross to wear around his neck. Although he initially hid it in a jewelry case, he eventually decided to wear it. He even had it blessed while on a trip to Jerusalem. It became a treasured symbol of a mother's love and her cherished faith.

When the cross turned up missing following a house fire, Putin was greatly disturbed. He dispatched an employee to sift through the charred remains of the building to try and find it. After an exhaustive search, the employee reported to Putin and held out a closed hand. He opened it and revealed the prized cross.

In her book When Character Was King, author Peggy Noonan records Putin's remarks as they were reported to her by President Bush.

Putin told Bush: "It was as if something meant for me to have the cross."

To which our President said, "Mr. Putin, that's what it's all about—that's THE story of the cross."