Dear President Obama--

I write this letter to you not to question, or doubt, or blame your politics. All of that is spoken of so often in this business, it becomes tiring.

Like I said, I do not write to criticize. Instead, I write this letter to thank you-- but, not for your politics, policies, or decisions. Rather, I write this to thank you for your even temper, your class, your constant optimism and pride, your compassion, and in essence, your eight years.

I plan to talk a little about the past, some about the present, and also the future. I believe reflecting is an important practice, and as your second and final term comes to a close, I reflect on your time in office (as I'm sure you are doing, too).

Past: I was born in 1995 and you were elected in 2008. At age 13, when you won the presidential election, I really didn't understand politics at all. But, I thought it was so cool that an African American was about to be our president. I was only 13 and, like I said, really didn't know much.

I was ignorantly proud-- I was proud because you were African American. I didn't know what you stood for, what your plan was, what your long and short term goals were. I knew nothing other than the fact that you were black.

But, I was proud. And here's what went on in my 13-year-old head:

I was proud of you because you were black and you became president.

*Anyone can be anything they want to be.*

I was proud of our nation because we elected a black president.

*Racism is dead. We believe everyone is equal.*

Present: I am a 20 year old, soon-to-be college junior, and I am a Republican. There have been things that I have agreed with over these eight years and there have been things that I have strongly disagreed with over these eight years. But, while my political and governmental satisfaction has fluctuated, my respect for you has remained constant.

There was never a time when I cringed at the thought of you speaking at a press conference. There was never a time that I doubted that you would handle a situation without thinking it through and acting to the best of your moral ability.

Future: In a few (very short) months, I will be voting in my first presidential election. I looked forward to voting for my party (not because a party blindly deserves my vote, but because I wanted to vote for something I believed in). But, this isn't a cookie-cutter election. And as much as everyone is trying to swear there is party unity (on both sides), we all saw Ted Cruz refuse to endorse Trump and we all saw Bernie fans crying, sobbing actually, at the DNC.

So, back to the present: While I wrestle with my morals and my politics in regards to the upcoming election, I think back on these eight years--

When I was 13, I liked you because you were black and you gave me great hope for equality.

I am now 20 and while I don't agree with your politics, I respect you tremendously.

I will be voting in November for the next president of the United States, and I am very glad I'm not as ignorant as I was when I was in 7th grade.

I will not be voting for a woman because it would fill me with pride and give me great hope for equality. I will not be voting for a Republican because it will satisfy my party preference. I will not be voting for a 3rd party because 'it's the only other option'.

I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or party or because they're not Hillary or Trump.

I am excited to practice my right to vote this coming fall, and I look forward to voting for the candidate that I believe will be the best for the job.

When I was 13, I liked you because you were black. But, eight years have passed and I am a lot less ignorant. Now I am 20 and I still do like you, but I like you not because you are black, but because of who you are.

Since I was 13, I have learned that respect and agreement do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. And, I have learned that I would much rather respect someone I disagree with then comply with someone that I do not respect.

Thank you for teaching me a lot about respect and how shallow labels really can be.

Katie DeSimone