In light of President Obama's farewell address this past Tuesday and the upcoming inauguration, our political future as a country is soon to change, but it is important to reflect back on the triumphs and breakthroughs we have had as a country being honored with Barack Obama as our nation's leader. Everyone has had a defining president in their childhood that served when they were young and one we are most likely to remember the strongest because they were the first we experienced once politics became integrated into our lives. For me, President Barack Obama has been the defining president of my childhood and I am here to say thank you.

President Obama, thank you for giving me hope that our country's best has yet to come because the future of our country belongs to the young idealists of today. Thank you for standing for the unity of varying racial and religious backgrounds that were able to come together to elect a young black man from Chicago to lead the free world. You have given children of all skin colors, identities, and religions hope that they too can be whatever they want to be when they grow up.

Thank you for teaching us about the importance of hope and the power of believing "Yes we can," even in the face of extreme adversity. You have built upon our beliefs in the power of goodness as well as democracy. Thank you for allowing me and my generation to live a childhood of ease in what seems to be a bruised and damaged country, but is ultimately a country we love.

Thank you for supporting and giving attention to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, and standing up for the rights of people in many situations such as Flint, Michigan and the Standing Rock Reservation. You gave influence on individuals that will go on to be even greater leaders in communities and in our country to carry out a spirit of hopefulness and the perseverance to make this country a better place for everyone.

Thank you for giving us the courage to proclaim that marriage equality does exist and that women's rights are on the forefront again. You have pushed us to not back down, and work hard at the progress that is still to be done.

You have guided our country through a recession back into economic growth, and provided affordable health care for all Americans. Thank you for leading a force to bring justice to Osama bin Laden with grace. Thank you for bringing home hundreds of thousands of American troops back to their families to be loved and cherished. Thank you for your efforts implementing gun safety regulations, and your consistent support and comfort following numerous disastrous shootings that rocked the country. You have always provided a symbol of hope, no matter how devastating or difficult a situation is that our country may face.

Thank you for working to depoliticize the female body and for never stopping to fight for marginalized people. You have brought compassion to politics and to our country as a whole. Thank you for serving as a humble and loving man, father, husband and friend.

You have inspired my generation to continue to fight to make this country an equal and inviting place for all people to live in. You are a living, breathing example of where this country can go and what we can accomplish.

Thank you President Obama for making this country feel loved by its government. I am so grateful that you were our president, and will be forever proud of everything you have done for the people of this country.

Thank you, for being you. You will be missed.