President Obama, I want to express my sincere admiration and gratitude for you and your service to this country. What a privilege it has been to come into adulthood under your presidency. Your example of leading with hope, acceptance, grace, and strength has inspired me and made me proud to be an American. Your example has shaped me into who I am.
In 2008, I was fourteen years old and just starting to become interested in politics. I remember reading more about the democratic party and self-identifying as a democrat long before I would be able to vote. I watched the debates and knew you were someone I believed in, and hoped that the rest of America felt the same way. The night of the election, I stayed up late to see who our next president would be, but ended up falling asleep. That next morning, I woke up really early for school – it was still dark outside. I immediately went outside to grab the newspaper from our driveway. As I carried it in, my heart was pounding. I pulled the rolled-up paper out of the plastic and threw it down on the kitchen table; my eyes widened and my heart soared as I read two words: “OBAMA WINS!”
The first time I ever voted for a president, I voted for you. And I will always be proud of that. And when I sat in my freshman dorm room on election night constantly refreshing CNN.com until I read the words, “IT’S OBAMA!” I felt the same rush of happiness and relief that I did four years earlier, but with even more pride because that time, I was able to cast my vote for you.
Thank you for leading with empathy in your heart. For illustrating that kindness doesn’t equal weakness, and that America is a place for everyone. You changed the conversation about healthcare from “Who should have it?” to “How can everyone get it?” You changed the conversation about marriage licenses in that same way. Thank you for encouraging kids to be their best selves: to be creative, to be educated, to be tolerant, and for striving to make this world a better place for future generations in so many ways. Thank you for being so down-to-earth and humble, for keeping your warm smile and your head held high despite those who tried to bring you down.
Thank you for being a beacon of hope in times of tragedy, someone who was there to rejoice with us in times of celebration, and someone who paved the way for so many others.
Mr. President, in your farewell address, you assured us that you’re not going anywhere, you’ll be standing alongside us as a citizen of this country, continuing to fight on our behalf. I can’t think of anyone who I’d rather have on my team. I have believed in you since the beginning, and that confidence in your ability has only grown stronger these past eight years. But you have also helped me believe in my own ability to bring about change – yes, I can.
Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can.
