Well, it feels like the end of an era. I may not be big into politics and I may have only been eligible to vote since July, but President Obama leaving office is huge. He may not have been perfect, but to me, he was like a dad. President Obama was the president for eight years out of my eighteen, and although it wasn’t a majority, it was some of the most important years of my life so far. Obama was president when I attended my first day of high school. He was president when I drove my first car, and when I drove my first car into a garage. He was president when I graduated high school and when I got accepted to college. He was president when the United States killed Osama Bin Laden and Michelle was the First Lady when the food in my high school cafeteria mysteriously turned whole wheat and for the first time I wondered what I was putting in my body.

Now, I am no politician, and I cannot say that Obama was the greatest president but I think he was the president this nation needed for the last eight years. His accomplishments surged this nation forward and though he may not have been perfect, he was given a difficult job and he handled it with grace. He showed us a logical plan that helped not only our nation but the world as a whole. He was kind and respectful to all. Not to mention, his story showed that someone can start from scratch and make it to where he did and that America does not have to be divided by race. His family showed that the president could just be a normal, kind guy who is also a great father and husband. His friendship with Joe Biden and relationship with Michelle have given me hope in love. And his humor showed that he was not only a president but also a friend. These past years, President Obama has inspired me and given me hope in my future.

It may be the end of an era, it may feel like the nation is taking a few steps back and I have realized that not every president it going to be as cool as President Obama, but that is okay. I just wanted to thank him for being the president I got to grow up with because I would not have wanted anyone else in that big, white house.