On Tuesday night local time, President Barack Obama, 55, delivered his farewell address in Chicago – the city that launched his political career.
Speaking to a captivated crowd that recalled the excitement of his ground-breaking campaign in 2008, Obama took the time to thank his family for their continued support throughout his presidency.
Near to the end of his hour-long delivery, Obama (eyes welling with tears!) spoke of his wife, Michelle Obama, 52, and of his pride in their two daughters, 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha.
No doubt causing viewers everywhere to reach for the tissues, daughter Malia could be seen among the sea of people gently wiping tears away from her face as she leant lovingly against her mum’s head.
Soon after the address, Malia joined her mum, Michelle, onstage to hug and thank her father for his touching words. And it was in this moment that the internet began to wonder…where is Sasha?
Malia’s head resting upon her adoring mum’s is no doubt an image that will go down in history.
What could possibly be more important than seeing her father’s parting address?
Soon, the questions and confusion of White House enthusiasts everywhere were satiated when Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent, took to twitter later on Tuesday night to announce that Sasha had stayed behind in Washington D.C. to prepare for an exam at school on Wednesday.
Malia, who first appeared in the spotlight at just seven years of age, attends a highly selective school in the nation’s capital by the name of Sidwell Friends.
It must have been very hard for the united family to separate on such a momentous occasion!
On the school’s website, the exam protocol guidelines specifically state that “students must adhere to the published examination schedule. Absence for travel is not an adequate reason to reschedule an exam.”
And it seems the President of the United States’ daughter is no exception!
During his speech, Obama was quick to point out the challenges and inherent scrutiny that his young daughters faced during their eight years growing up in the White House.
He said, “Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I’ve done in my life, I’m most proud to be your dad.”
Here the family can be seen on vacation in 2016. Sasha (L) and Malia (R) are led down the stairs of their private jet by adoring parents Michelle and Barack.
Tugging at everyone’s heartstrings, Obama also took a moment to thank his adoring wife.
He said, “Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the Southside, for the past 25 years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but you’ve been my best friend.”
“You took on a role you didn’t ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You’ve made me proud. You’ve made the country proud.”
Michelle and Barack’s love for each other has the public in complete awe.
After the momentous occasion, everybody’s favorite girl-crush Michelle, took to Instagram to upload a throwback photo of the Obama-clan.
The First Lady decided to share one of the earliest photographs taken of the family during Obama’s first presidential campaign. The black and white photograph features the adorable Malia and Sasha twinning in coordinating white outfits while sitting on their proud parents’ laps.
She captioned the precious snap with the heartwarming words, “So proud of POTUS and all that we’ve accomplished together. What an incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo.”
Talk about #couplegoals! We can’t wait to follow this beautiful family’s journey now that they’re (almost) out of office.
