Celebrating Barack and Michelle Obama

It’s no secret that I’ve always been in love with the Obamas — as people, as a family and especially when it comes to the last eight years in the White House! But my love, respect and admiration goes even farther back than that. I first got to witness the sheer power of this dynamic duo up close. In 2007, they came to speak in my town and I heard their words for the first time; to say I was moved would be an understatement and I’ve been celebrating Barack and Michelle Obama ever since!

I know that so many of us are struggle in the current political climate. It’s a downright scary time and I’m heartbroken to see the Obamas leave office, so I rounded up a few of my favorite photos and quotes! Because, let’s be real, these two people are #LoveGoals, right?? Get ready to be moved…

“We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacle to their achievements and no remaining ceilings to shatter.” —President Obama on teaching our daughters

“Our glorious diversities of faiths and colors and creeds, that is not a threat to who we are, it makes us who we are … To the young people here and the young people out there, do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter … I want our young people to know that they matter. That they belong. So don’t be afraid. You hear me? Young people don’t be afraid. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” —First Lady Michelle Obama in her final White House address

“I refuse to stop fighting now — for the sake of my daughters and yours, we must do better to make sure women are respected and treated equally.” —President Obama on fighting for equality

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” —First Lady during a 2011 trip to South Africa

“For many of us, our fathers show us by the example they set the kind of people they want us to become. Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, they teach us through the encouragement they give, the questions they answer, the limits they set, and the strength they show in the face of difficulty and hardship.” —President Obama in the 2012 Father’s Day Proclamation

“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.” —First Lady during the 2016 Democratic National Convention

“The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.” —First Lady during the 2009 State Department Women of Courage Awards

And, here’s a look back at So About What I Said’s Obama-centric posts over the years…
*My newspaper column from 2009
*Barack and Michelle’s sweet love
*How to Throw the Perfect Election Party
*FOUR MORE YEARS
*President Obama singing Al Green
*Obama Inauguration 2012

These really capture everything I love about them and I hope they bring a smile to your face like they did mine. So thank you, President and First Lady Obama, for all the hard work, dedication and service you gave over the last eight years. I’m so going to miss you, but I’ll never forget everything you did to make this country wonderful. From my heart to yours… xoxo

P.S. An Open Letter to Hillary Clinton and I’m With Her…

[Photos via ELLE]